ielts writing comparison essay

How to Write ‘Compare and Contrast’ Type of Essay in IELTS Writing Task 2?

In ‘compare and contrast’ type of essay, IELTS examiners want you to discuss the points of comparing and contrasting the two things i.e. similarities and differences between the two. Therefore, it is important that you find out relevant points of similarities and differences of the two mentioned things after reading the question for IELTS Writing . Let’s look at an example:

Some people want to live in a house while others prefer living in an apartment.

Does living in a house bring more advantages than living in an apartment.

With this type of essay for IELTS Writing , you have two points to be discussed as follows:

• Benefits of living in a house/apartment
• Issues of living in an house/apartment

You must discuss both of them by giving reasons and support them with examples. And at the end, mention which of the two is better and why. If you do not discuss any of the above two points in the essay, you will lose marks.

So, in this type of essay, you must explain both the points.

How to structure IELTS Writing asnwer?

The essay can be structured mainly in 4 paragraphs as follows:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Paragraph 2: Benefits of living in a house/apartment

Paragraph 3: issues of living in a house/apartment, paragraph 4: conclusion.

Further structuring of the paragraphs can be done as follows:

a. Paragraph 1- Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase the Question

Sentence 2-Outline the sentence

b. Paragraph 2- Body Paragraph 1 (Apartment)

Sentence 1- State the benefit

Sentence 2- Explain how it brings this benefit

Sentence 4- Write an example

c. Paragraph 3 – Body Paragraph 2 (House)

Sentence 1- State the issue

Sentence 2-Explain how it leads to this issue

Sentence 3- Write an example

d. Paragraph 4- Conclusion

Sentence 1- Summary of the main point to conclude which is better and why Four paragraphs are sufficient to explain your point of view. You may use any other structure you are comfortable with but this structure is approved by the IELTS examiners to help the students write in an effective and cohesive manner.

Vocabulary:

Useful vocabulary for comparison points.

• to be the same as
• neither… nor…
• not only… but also…
• to be alike
• just like (+ noun)
• to be similar (to)
• similar to (+ noun)
• to compare (to/with)

Useful vocabulary for Contrasting points

• in contrast
• by comparison
• in comparison
• on the other hand
• to differ from
• to be dissimilar to
• to be different (from)
• to be unlike

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer:

There are many people who believe that living in a house is the best. However, some people disagree with this opinion and instead prefer to live in an apartment. This essay makes comparison of the two and chooses the most preferred option.

To begin with, living in a flat definitely brings several advantages to a resident. One of the most important reasons behind this is the huge convenience it offers. An apartment is a part of large building giving a feel of living in a small societal association which takes responsibility of any fix or repair or maintenance required. For example, if one needs to repair the roof, the maintenance charges are borne by the landlord. Moreover, various facilities as well as amenities are available nearby including shopping mall, tuition centre, medical store, bus station and so on.

On the other hand, living in an owned house does not offer the facilities that one can avail while living in an apartment. One reason for this is that it is quite lonely to stay in a house which occupies a large land area bringing boredom and snatching the joy of living with so many people around. For example, it would be such a dull experience of sitting alone in the garden with no one around to share life experiences. In addition to this, maintenance and cleanliness of the house are borne by the owner and thus it is costly to live in a house.

Conclusively, living in an apartment is comparatively better than staying lonely in a house. Though a house provides a large spacious area to move around but living in an apartment enhances more social interaction and adds more excitement to life.

(283 words)

Write an essay with minimum 250 words. Use the above mentioned vocabulary. 1. Some people think that learning online is more efficient. However, according to some other people, studying from books is still the preferred method. Which is the better method of learning out of the two?

2. Distance education is gaining popularity day by day and more students are enrolling through distance mode than full-time course in colleges. Make comparison of distance education and full-time course to find which is better and why.

3. A growing number of people own personal vehicle as they find it a convenient mode of transport in comparison to public transport. Compare the public and private mode of transportation and state which is better out of the two.

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 : Compare and Contrast

Updated On Aug 25, 2023

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Table of Contents

Comparative and superlatives, other vocabulary, subordinating conjunctions, other structures.

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Like it has already been discussed in all the other TASK 1 lessons, to get a high band score in your Writing Section, you need to use appropriate vocabulary.

In IELTS Writing Task 1 , you are commonly provided with graphs, pie charts, etc. which have data that should be compared and contrasted.

In this lesson, you will learn the type of vocabulary that you’ve got to use to compare and contrast information in the graph.

To compare any graphs or charts, you need to use comparatives or superlatives.

Comparatives are used when comparing two things.

Jill runs faster than Ted.

Superlatives are used one thing against a group of elements.

Jill runs faster than any other girl in her class.

There are a few basic ways in which these words are formed. They are:

Though Comparatives and Superlatives are essential, they aren’t sufficient for an IELTS Task 1 essay. Therefore, we should use other kinds of vocabulary.

Although the sale prices of the CDS decreased, it remained the same for the year 2002 and 2003.

The sale prices of the CDs decreased in 2001, whereas/while it remained the same in the year 2002 and 2003.

Transitions

• In 1970, the most popular fast food was pizza, over 300 grams were consumed each week. By 1990, however , this had fallen to just over 200 grams.
• There was a vast increase in the consumption of Fish and Chips. In contrast, there was a drop in the consumption of pizza over the years.
• On the one hand, the consumption of hamburgers increased. On the other hand, the consumption of pizza decreased.

• Like Canada, Japan also has a 99% adult literacy rate.
• Canada has more annual income than all the other four countries.
• The adult literacy rate of Zaire is far less than all the other four countries.
• As observed from the given data, daily calorie supply in Canada and Japan was 3326 and 2846 per person, while this ratio in Peru and Zaire was almost half, with 1927 and 1749 per person.
• Initially, the annual incomes of Canadian and Japanese people were much higher than in Peru and Zaire.
• Zaire’s life expectancy is not as high as Canada’s or Japan’s.
• The economic and social living standards of Canadian and Japanese citizens were far better than those of the people of Peru and Zaire.

Using Approximate Data

When you are comparing and contrasting, you don’t usually have the exact numbers, like in the chart below. Thus you use appropriate phrases for comparative data.

• In 1990, the fertility rate in Kuwait was just over 3.
• In 1990, the fertility rate in Kuwait was approximately 3.

Here you can see that if your value is above the value mentioned and there is no precise number given, you can use ‘just over’ or ‘approximately.’

• In 2000, the fertility rate in the UAE was nearly 3.
• In 2000, the fertility rate in the UAE was almost 3.

Here you can see that if your value is below the value mentioned and there is no precise number given, you can use ‘nearly’ or ‘almost.’

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Language for IELTS compare essays

You can guarantee that some point during your IELTS exam, you will need to demonstrate that you can make good comparisons. Interestingly, although the language of comparison is introduced at an Elementary level in most English course books, this is something that many high-level students still struggle with. Today, Nick and describe 4 ways that you can make comparisons in IELTS compare essays, and then show how the same techniques can be used to good effect in the speaking test (which Nick giving a masterful demonstration of how to answer some Part 3 questions)!

Below, you can find a summary of the episode, which includes all of the links to useful materials and the times of each part of the discussion (so you can go directly to the part you want to listen to)   🚀

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When you may need to use or understand compare language in the IELTS exam

The ability to make accurate comparisons is a fundamental English skill, so it is no wonder that it is tested throughout the IELTS test. For example, True, False, Not Given questions in the reading often focus on checking if a given comparison is correct. Part 3 of the speaking exam almost always contains at least one question that will ask you to compare ideas or statements ( as we will see at the end of the episodes when we put Nick to the test)  and any student sitting the Academic version of the test knows that they have a 50% chance of getting a chart that shows either change or comparison.

In today’s episode, however, we are going to focus primarily on how you can make comparisons in IELTS essays. Unlike other tests, although no essay prompt ever asks you directly to “compare and contrast”, this does not mean that there are no IELTS compare essays. On the contrary, there are three common types of essay that will require you to make accurate comparisons:

1 Agree / Disagree essays that are actually IELTS compare essays

These are perhaps the most obvious “IELTS compare essays” because despite asking you to “agree” or “disagree” they directly present you with two opposing options, which must be compared. Take this question for example:

Governments should spend more money on railways than roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Obviously, to answer this well, you will have to weigh up the benefits and drawbacks of both types of investment and compare them directly to decide which is best (and, thus, if you agree or disagree.

2. Discuss Both sides essays  that are actually IELTS compare essays

In a similar way, many Discuss Both Sides essays give you absolute opposite views on the same topic. Again, in order to decide which approach is the best, it will be necessary in your discussion to compare them in some way:

Some people say that parents should encourage their children to take part in organised group activities in their free time. Others say that it is important for children to learn how to occupy themselves on their own. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

3. Essays that ask you to discuss a recent social change  are actually IELTS compare essays

I have become quite obsessed recently with social change essays. That is because they are becoming more and more common but are overlooked by most IELTS teachers. Nick and I spent a whole hour in August explaining what social change essays are and how you can approach them best. If you have’t listened to that episode yet, I strongly recommend that you do so now as it could really save your score for Task Response if you get a similar essay in your test. Just click here .

Today more people are travelling today than ever before. Why is this the case? What are the benefits for the traveller?

Very simply though, a social change essay is one that asks you to look at an emerging trend in society. Most of the time you will be asked why that change is happening and then to comment on whether you think it is a positive or negative one. The key to answering these questions well is to focus on the CHANGE i.e. to consider why this trend is happening more today than in the past.

In other words, you will need to compare people’s behaviour in the past to their behaviour today. For the above question, that will mean not focussing on why people travel a lot today, but why they are travelling more today than in the past. It is considering the change that will lead to a high score.

Click here to watch the first three lessons in our IELTS Writing Course to see the difference that genuine expertise can make to your preparation. 

4 Ways to show comparisons in  IELTS compare essays 

Ways to compare 1 – use the “contrast” comparison.

Our first way to compare is a good one for lower level learners as it does not require any specialist comparison language. All we are going to do is write one sentence describing X and a contrasting sentence describing Y, and join the two sentences using “In contrast”. Let’s look at an example sentence for the the railways / road question:

Railways are an environmentally friendly form of transport, with relatively little carbon emissions per passenger. In contrast , many cars often carry just one passenger and emit not only carbon but other poisonous gases into the atmosphere.

As you can see, this a very straightforward strategy as we are using the present simple in each sentence, but it is still a very effective way of making an argument. Note that in this sentence, we do not use “ on the other hand ’ as that signpost is usually only used to transition between paragraphs.

If you want to make a shorter comparison, or to make a complex sentence, you can replace “in contrast” with “while” or “whereas”.

Railways are an environmentally friendly form of transport as they can carry hundreds of passengers whereas   many cars often carry just one passenger, especially during rush hour.

Now, although the function of “in contrast” and “while” or “whereas”  is the same, you cannot just make a one-to-one swap as these are different types of words grammatically. “In contrast” is a transition signal and “while” and “whereas” are subordinators. That means you need to use “while” and “whereas” between TWO clauses not two sentences.

If you are not sure of the difference, please stop reading and go and watch my free video lessons “Three types of Contrast” by clicking here .

Ways to compare 2 – Use the “unlike” comparison

Making simple comparisons using “in contrast” or “while” or “whereas” is a fantastic strategy in the exam, but sometimes these sentences can result in sentences with a problem. Have a look at these three sentences (based on the questions in the introduction) to see if you can spot what the problem with the underlined clause is:

• It can be comfortable travelling long distances by rail whereas in a car it can be tiring for the driver.
• Children who take part in group activities can learn the value of working as a team and how to communicate with other members of the group whereas those who spend time on their own do not have this chance.
• In the past it was expensive to fly to another city, but now it is relatively cheap .

Can you see the issue? All of these sentences make nice comparisons, but there is too much repetition in the second clause. I mean, do we really need to give a long explanation of the “other option” every time?

For example, if you say that travel abroad is expensive, do you really need to say that travel at home is cheap? Surely that is obvious!

In the same way, if you say that children who take part in a group activity learn communication skills, is it really necessary to point out that those who spend time on their own do not? Again, this seems repetitive.

One way to avoid this is to use an “Unlike” phrase to replace the repetitive second clause .

Let me show you how that will work:

• Unlike going by car , it can be comfortable travelling long distances by rail
• Unlike children who spend time on their own , those who take part in group activities can learn the value of working as a team and how to communicate with other members of the group.
• Unlike twenty years ago, now it is relatively cheap to fly to another city.

It is quite simple, isn’t it? We keep the clause that contains the important information (i.e the information that we want to focus on) and replace the repetitive clause with a short one that starts with “like and summarises what we are comparing to. Simple, but VERY effective. This type of comparison earns my gold star recommendation of the day!

Ways to compare 3 – Use comparative adjectives

Now we come to the classic way of comparing – using a comparative adjective. This is the comparison language that we learn from a low level at school, so I don’t want to spend too much time looking at it today (we also have a 35 minute lesson in our IELTS Grammar course that covers this in great detail), but let’s go through the basics here:

• If your adjective has one syllable , you will add -er to the end to make the comparative: bigger / taller / shorter. Note that if your adjective ends in a vowel followed directly by a consonant, you will need to “double” the final consonant: ho tt er / bi gg er
• If your adjective has two syllables and ends in “y”,  you will move the “y” and add -ier to the end to make the comparative: funnier / luckier / happier. If your adjective has two syllables but does NOT end in “y”,  then you will just need to add “more”: more modern / more boring / more tired
• If your adjective has three syllables,  you will again just need to add “more”: more expensive / more challenging / more fashionable

We can also add adverbs into these sentences to make our comparisons more precise and (importantly for IELTS) slightly more complex.

If there is a small difference between the two items, we can add “slightly” or “a little”

• Buying a yearly travel pass is only  slightly cheaper than buying and running a car.
• Taking a holiday in your own country can often be only a little less expensive than travelling abroad.

If there is a big difference between the two items, we can add “far”, “way”,  “a lot”, or “much”:

• Living in the countryside is far healthier than in the city.
• Working at home makes it  way easier to have a good work-life balance.
• Travelling by train is far more comfortable than by bus.
• It is much easier to tell a person bad news by text message than face to face.

3 Potential Problems with using comparative adjectives ☠️

1. Be careful when you use “much” that you do not automatically use “more”

Students seem to automatically write “more” when they write “much”. This can cause problems when you are using a “short” comparative adjective that ends in -er. Why? Well, because the “-er” is already making the comparison, so adding an extra “more” means that you are saying “more more”!

• eating in a restaurant is much more expensive than cooking food at home
• going to the theatre is something to enjoy but smartphones have made our movie experience much more better

2. Be careful when you have a list of comparatives that all are in the comparative form.

Another problem can be that students remember the comparative rules for the first item in a list, but then forget them for the second:

• First, houses are often more spacious and roomy  / roomier than apartments.
• Cleaning, repairing and refurbishing apartments is usually easier as they are much smaller and compact   / more  compact   than a house.

3. Although you need “than” in the sentence, it is  NOT what “compares” on its own!

Take a look back at all of the comparative sentences that I have written in this section. You will notice that they all contain the word “than”. This is a vital component of compare sentences but it DOES NOT make the comparison – it is the adding “-er” or “more” that does this.

• We are getting busy day by day than before
• We are getting busier day by day than before.

In fact, in many sentences, you can omit the “than X” because it is clear from context, but the comparative adjective must remain! For example if we have the phrase ‘day by day” in this sentence, we really don’t need to add “than before” as it is obvious what we are comparing!

• We are getting busier day by day than before

Looking for help with IELTS grammar? We have a dedicated 10-hour course that is specifically designed to show you the structures needed for a 7.0+ Click  here to watch the first three lessons for free.

Ways to compare 4 – Use “as + adjective + as” to compare

This is the other classic way to compare. Rather than having to change the adjective to the comparative form, you can simply use it between two “as”:

• Women are as intelligent as men

This form of comparison is designed to show that the two items are EQUAL i.e. there is no difference between the intelligence of men and women. However, I don’t think that many things in life are truly equal, so we often add adverbs to show that there is a difference.

If there is a small difference between the two items, we can add “almost” or “nearly”.

• Eating sugar every day is almost as dangerous as smoking.
• Most teachers are nearly as worried as parents about the problem.

If there is a big difference between the two items, we can add “nowhere near”

• Traditional games are nowhere near as interactive as electronic games.

One common problems in IELTS compare essays  ☠️

One mistake that I often see repeated is that students seem to think that all they have to do to compare is add the phrase “ compared to ” or “ as compared to ” at the end of a sentence. This is not true! In fact, it is very hard to make a comparison using only the phrase “compared to”, and if this is a phrase that you use often, I would recommend that you forget it and start using one of the four techniques above.

Look at the four sentences  below for example. None of them are correct as the students have tried to compare using only “compared to”. Can you change the sentences to be correct? We will give you the answers in the podcast:

• The houses are big  compared to the past.
• I would like to bring to your attention the reason as to why children are not visiting the park frequently these days compared to the past .
• People can interact with each other easily as compared to the past .
• Living in the countryside is much fresh compared to living in the city

Bonus! Listen to Nick answer these Speaking Part 3 Compare questions

We all know that there is nothing I like more than making Nick work in a podcast. Today, I thought that we could put his vast experience of IELTS speaking tests to good use by making him answer these questions. How did he get on? You will need to listen to find out!

Is it more enjoyable to do free time activities inside or outside?

Do you think young people and old people have the same attitude to change?

Is it better for a person to show their emotions or to hide them?

Do you think life was better before the invention of the computer?

Do you think living in a nice place is more important than having a good job?

What are the differences between the cause of stress today and in the past?

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Mastering IELTS Task 1 Comparison Essays: Expert Strategies for Success

IELTS Writing Task 1 comparison essays can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can excel in this crucial component of the test. This comprehensive guide will provide you with expert tips and techniques …

Written by: IELTS Mentor

Published on: October 20, 2024

IELTS Writing Task 1 comparison essays can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can excel in this crucial component of the test. This comprehensive guide will provide you with expert tips and techniques to help you tackle comparison essays effectively and boost your IELTS score.

Understanding the Task

Before diving into strategies, it’s essential to grasp what IELTS Task 1 comparison essays entail. These essays typically require you to compare and contrast information presented in charts, graphs, or diagrams. The key is to identify similarities and differences, and present them in a clear, organized manner.

Types of Comparison Essays

• Single chart/graph with multiple data sets
• Two or more charts/graphs with related information
• Before and after scenarios
• Process diagrams with multiple stages

Understanding these variations will help you approach each task with confidence.

Key Strategies for Success

1. analyze the data thoroughly.

Take a few minutes to carefully examine the visual information provided. Look for:

• Overall trends
• Significant similarities and differences
• Highest and lowest values
• Unexpected or unusual patterns

This initial analysis will form the foundation of your essay.

2. Plan Your Essay Structure

A well-organized essay is crucial for scoring high in Task 1. Structure your essay as follows:

• Introduction: Paraphrase the question and provide an overview
• Body paragraph 1: Discuss main similarities
• Body paragraph 2: Highlight key differences
• Conclusion: Summarize the main points (optional for Task 1)

This clear structure will help you present information logically and coherently.

3. Use Appropriate Comparison Language

Employing a variety of comparison expressions will enhance your essay’s quality. Some useful phrases include:

• “In contrast to…”
• “While X shows…, Y indicates…”
• “Both X and Y demonstrate…”
• “X is significantly higher/lower than Y”

Remember to use these phrases naturally and avoid overusing them.

improving coherence in writing task 1

4. Quantify Your Comparisons

When comparing data, be specific and use numbers to support your statements. For example:

“The percentage of internet users in Country A was 75%, which was 25 percentage points higher than in Country B at 50%.”

This precision adds credibility to your analysis and demonstrates your ability to interpret data accurately.

5. Group Similar Information

To make your essay more coherent, group similar data or trends together. This approach allows you to make broader comparisons and avoid repetition. For instance:

“Countries A, B, and C all showed an upward trend in internet usage, while Countries D and E experienced a decline.”

6. Focus on Key Features

In Task 1 essays, it’s crucial to identify and describe the most significant features of the data. Dr. Emily Watson, a renowned IELTS examiner, advises:

“Don’t try to describe every single detail. Instead, focus on the most important trends, similarities, and differences. This approach demonstrates your ability to analyze and prioritize information effectively.”

7. Use a Range of Vocabulary

Expand your lexical resource by using synonyms and varied vocabulary related to trends and comparisons. This not only improves your language score but also makes your essay more engaging. Some examples include:

• Increase: rise, grow, climb, surge
• Decrease: decline, fall, drop, plummet
• Significant: substantial, considerable, notable
• Similar: comparable, analogous, akin to

how to write task 1 with better vocabulary

8. Practice Time Management

With only 20 minutes allocated for Task 1, efficient time management is crucial. Aim to spend:

• 3-5 minutes analyzing and planning
• 12-15 minutes writing
• 2-3 minutes reviewing and editing

Regular practice will help you refine your timing and ensure you complete the task within the given timeframe.

IELTS Task 1 Time Management Strategy

9. Use Examples Effectively

Incorporating specific examples from the data can strengthen your essay. However, be selective and choose examples that best illustrate your points. As Professor Michael Chen, an IELTS preparation expert, notes:

“Effective use of examples shows that you can interpret data accurately and support your observations with evidence. But remember, your goal is to analyze, not just describe.”

using task 1 examples effectively

10. Maintain a Formal Tone

While your essay should be clear and readable, it’s important to maintain a formal academic tone. Avoid colloquialisms, contractions, and overly casual language. Instead, use precise, objective language that reflects the analytical nature of the task.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Overcomplicating your language: Clarity is key in Task 1 essays.
• Neglecting to paraphrase the question: Always rephrase the task in your introduction.
• Providing personal opinions: Stick to the facts presented in the data.
• Using memorized phrases inappropriately: Ensure all language use is natural and context-appropriate.
• Forgetting to proofread: Always leave time to check for errors.

Mastering IELTS Task 1 comparison essays requires practice, strategic thinking, and attention to detail. By implementing these strategies for task 1 comparison essays, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any comparison task with confidence. Remember to analyze thoroughly, structure your essay clearly, use appropriate language, and focus on key features. With consistent practice and application of these techniques, you’ll see significant improvement in your Task 1 performance.

how to maximize score in IELTS writing with practice

How long should my Task 1 essay be?

Your Task 1 essay should be at least 150 words. Aim for 170-190 words to ensure you’ve covered all necessary points without being overly wordy.

Should I always include a conclusion in Task 1 essays?

While not strictly necessary, a brief conclusion can help summarize your main points. However, if you’re short on time, focus on the introduction and body paragraphs.

How can I improve my data interpretation skills?

Practice regularly with various types of charts and graphs. Analyze real-world data from reputable sources like government statistics or economic reports.

Is it okay to use personal pronouns in Task 1 essays?

It’s best to avoid personal pronouns like “I” or “we.” Instead, use more objective language to describe the data.

How important is handwriting in the IELTS Writing test?

While content is most important, legible handwriting ensures the examiner can understand your essay easily. Practice writing clearly under timed conditions.

Can I use bullet points or numbered lists in my Task 1 essay?

It’s generally better to write in full paragraphs. Use transitional phrases and cohesive devices to organize your ideas instead of bullets or numbers.

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By ielts-jonathan.com on 29 January 2021

How certain language improves you IELTS writing score

In the majority of IELTS essays and reports, there will be a need to signpost the direction of your essay.

At other times you will need to compare and contrast ideas from the question and contrast your own response.

In case you were unaware, signposting means showing your reader that the idea or point in your writing is taking a different direction. 

This is an important element of a successful IELTS task essay.

Contrasting and comparing are also important in building a strong and logical argument too.

Both of these can add to the coherence of you essay and can make your message much clearer to the examiner.

In this post, I am going to use the following Task 2 question to demonstrate language patterns that compare or contrast topics in an appropriately academic way:

Sample IELTS Question

Some people that reading traditional books is better than reading the same material online.  What is your opinion? Discuss both views in your response.

Your own ideas

Obviously we have to have our own ideas which we gain from planning .

Either way, it is obvious from the question that there will be some need to contrast and compare within the scope of the topic which is ‘ reading books online compared or contrasted to physical books ‘.

Here are some comparative linking language examples that will be helpful to the response:

IELTS Comparative Language

nevertheless

on the one hand / on the other hand

Despite this/ that

In contrast / In comparison

However , for some people, reading in this way is not productive, practical or enjoyable. Reading online nevertheless has its own unique advantages. On the one hand, there seems to be something more tangible with reading a paper book, but on the other hand paper-based books cannot offer the instantaneous access to vast amounts of data and easy of use. 

As can be expected, comparative adjectives will also play an important role when comparing and contrasting something with something else.

IELTS Language to Compare

greater capacity

higher engagement

(As in ‘Unlike reading paper books, reading online allows…’)

In many ways, books are more flexible Today’s devices have a higher storage capacity than before This gives the reader a greater choice of when and what to read.  

Signposting language or sentence ‘transition’ language helps the essay sequence its comparing and contrasting points. 

However, as a writer, I have avoided using some of these in the following essay by using strong topic sentences .

IELTS Language that shows transition

in addition to this

In addition to this , there is little to distract the reader from the enjoyment of reading itself process. Thus , this gives the reader a greater choice of when and what to read. Therefore , an obvious conclusion is based on the personal preference and age of the individual.  

Read the example essay below and see if you can identify some of the above language and examp les.

Any questions, leave a comment at the end for a reply!

Some people believe that reading traditional books is better than reading the same material online. What is your opinion? Discuss both views in your response.

There are both benefits and drawbacks to reading paper-based books and reading online materials using a laptop, phone or computer. This essay will examine both of these areas before reaching a personal conclusion.

The obvious advantage of books is that they can be read anywhere. In many ways, books are more flexible, for example, a book can be read on a train, beach or plane and does not require a Wi-Fi connection or internal storage as a phone does. In addition, for some people, books are more engaging and absorbing than reading materials online. In addition to this, there is little to distract the reader from the enjoyment of reading itself process.

Reading online nevertheless has its own unique advantages. With today’s devices popular with younger people, many books and journals can be stored within a devices’ memory which would normally require at least a bookshelf for storage or would be too heavy to carry in a bag. Thus, this gives the reader a greater choice of when and what to read. However, for some people, reading in this way is not productive, practical or enjoyable. Unless the reader is trained and disciplined, it is easy to be distracted, for example, by social media. Furthermore, research shows that less information is taken in or absorbed when reading online and it also encourages skimming and scanning practices rather than reading the detail. Thus, readers may miss or overlook important points or nuances that can be easily seen when reading paper-back books.

As a conclusion, it seems that there are benefits to both methods of reading. Therefore, an obvious conclusion is based on the personal preference and age of the individual. However, if I were to recommend a certain method, it would be reading paper books due my personal preference of convenience and the enjoyment it brings.

Introduction and Body 1

Body 2 and Conclusion

Don’t forget to leave a comment if you have a question.

I’m Jonathan

I’ve taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world.

I’m a parent, traveller and passionate about language teaching and helping students achieve their dreams.

Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be.

If you are serious about IELTS, connect with me to see how I can help you.

IELTS Writing Posts 

The Best Approach to Task 2 Writing

Paragraphing in Task 2 Writing

Strong Arguments for Task 2

Writing the Introduction

Writing a Line of Argument

Cohesion for Task 2 Writing

Writing – Benefits of a Foreign University Education

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