IELTS Writing Task 2: I completely/totally agree??

ScottsEnglish

Here's part of an answer we received from one of our students:

I completely agree with the fact that scientists experimenting with animals in a laboratory is the only way we can guarantee new products will be safe for human use.

There's something wrong here - do you know what it is?

The Writing questions/topics for Task 2 are carefully selected so that there are plenty of options to argue 'for' or 'against'. In other words, it would not be suitable to ever 'totally agree' or 'completely disagree' with any particular question.

If the question is: Testing of animals in labs is the only way to ensure products are safe for humans then it would not be wise to 'completely agree' or 'completely disagree' that this is the only way to ensure new products are safe for human consumption.  This is because there are other ways to make sure new products are safe for human use - not only animal testing.

Our advice: we discourage people from writing words like 'I completely agree...' and/or 'I totally disagree...' in their IELTS Writing Task 2 answer  .

ritaeid

Hi Admin - what if the question was to what extent do you agree/disagree? How should we answer in this case? Thanks!

ScottsEnglish

Hi ritaeid - this type of wording (to what extent do you agree or disagree) in a Task 2 question is very common.  

The point we make (above) is still correct.  Don't write 'I completely agree or disagree' with any IELTS Task 2 question.

The fact is that all questions are chosen because there is always room for two points of view.  It's never 'all or nothing' .