IELTS Writing Discussion Essay Samples: 5 Band 9 Model Answers with Expert Analysis

Introduction

A Discussion Essay is one of the most common question types in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing nearly as frequently as opinion essays. In this format, you are presented with two contrasting viewpoints on an issue and asked to discuss both perspectives before providing your own opinion.

The critical distinction between discussion essays and opinion essays lies in balance. While opinion essays reward strong advocacy for one position, discussion essays demand that you present both sides fairly and objectively before revealing your stance. Examiners assess your ability to understand multiple perspectives, present them coherently, and then synthesize your own informed opinion.

Many candidates lose valuable marks by heavily favoring one viewpoint over the other or by failing to clearly state their personal position. Success in discussion essays requires disciplined structure: equal treatment of both views in separate body paragraphs, followed by a clear personal stance that may align with one side, find middle ground, or even present a third perspective.

Typical Question Wording

Discussion essays can be identified by this characteristic phrasing:

Standard format:

·        "Discuss both views and give your opinion."

·        "Discuss both these views and give your own opinion."

Variations:

·        "Some people believe X, while others think Y. Discuss both views and give your opinion."

·        "There are differing opinions about X. Discuss both sides and state your position."

The phrase "discuss both views" is your clear signal that you must give balanced attention to each perspective before presenting your own judgment.

Strategy for Success

1. Present Both Views Objectively

Your first two body paragraphs should each focus exclusively on one viewpoint. Avoid inserting your personal opinion in these paragraphs—save that for later.

Structure for each viewpoint paragraph:

·        Topic sentence introducing the perspective

·        Explanation of the reasoning behind this view

·        Specific example or evidence supporting it

·        Concluding sentence (optional)

Example Topic Sentences:

·        "Proponents of online shopping argue that it offers unmatched convenience and selection."

·        "On the other hand, supporters of traditional retail emphasize the irreplaceable value of physical shopping experiences."

2. Ensure Equal Development of Each Side

This is crucial for scoring well in Coherence and Cohesion. Both viewpoint paragraphs should be approximately equal in length and depth of development.

What equal development looks like:

·        Similar paragraph lengths (within 20-30 words of each other)

·        Comparable level of detail in explanations

·        Similar use of examples

Red flag: If one paragraph is 120 words and the other is 60 words, you haven't achieved balance.

3. State Your Clear Personal Opinion

Your opinion should appear in one or both of these locations:

Option A: Introduction + Conclusion State your position briefly in the introduction, discuss both views objectively in body paragraphs, then expand on your opinion in the conclusion.

Option B: Separate paragraph + Conclusion Present both views in the first two body paragraphs, dedicate the third body paragraph to your opinion, then reaffirm it in the conclusion.

Option C: Conclusion only Discuss both views in body paragraphs, then clearly state your opinion in the conclusion.

All three approaches work for Band 9, but ensure your opinion is explicit and unambiguous.

5 Band 9 Sample Essays

Sample 1: Online Shopping vs. Traditional Retail

Question: Some people prefer to shop online, while others believe that shopping in physical stores is better. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Band 9 Model Answer:

The rise of e-commerce has fundamentally transformed retail, creating a division between those who embrace online shopping and those who remain loyal to traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Both approaches offer distinct advantages that merit careful consideration.

Advocates of online shopping emphasize its unparalleled convenience and extensive product selection. Digital platforms allow consumers to browse thousands of products from home, compare prices across multiple retailers instantly, and complete purchases within minutes—all without the time investment required for physical store visits. This convenience proves particularly valuable for busy professionals or parents with limited free time. Furthermore, online retailers typically offer significantly broader product ranges than physical stores constrained by shelf space limitations. A consumer searching for a specialized item, such as a particular book edition or electronics accessory, will likely find more options through online marketplaces than by visiting multiple local stores.

Conversely, supporters of traditional retail highlight the sensory experience and immediate gratification that physical shopping provides. The ability to physically examine products before purchase eliminates the uncertainty inherent in online shopping, where items may look different from their digital representations. Clothing shoppers, for instance, can assess fabric quality, test fit, and evaluate color accuracy—factors that online descriptions and photos cannot fully convey. Additionally, physical stores provide immediate possession of purchased items, whereas online orders require waiting for delivery, which may prove impractical for urgent needs or time-sensitive purchases like gifts.

In my view, while both shopping methods have merit, online shopping represents the superior option for most purchasing scenarios due to its efficiency and economic advantages. The time savings and competitive pricing available through digital platforms outweigh the sensory limitations, particularly as return policies have become increasingly consumer-friendly, mitigating the risks of buying without physical examination. However, I acknowledge that certain product categories—such as high-value clothing, furniture, or items requiring immediate acquisition—may still warrant in-store purchases.

(Word count: 307)

Analysis:

Task Response (Band 9): Both views presented with equal depth and development. Clear personal opinion stated in the final paragraph. Question fully addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion (Band 9): Excellent organization with dedicated paragraphs for each view. Smooth transitions ("Conversely," "In my view"). Logical progression throughout.

Lexical Resource (Band 9): Sophisticated vocabulary ("unparalleled convenience," "brick-and-mortar stores," "immediate gratification," "inherent uncertainty"). Natural collocations and precise word choices.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy (Band 9): Complex sentence structures with perfect accuracy. Variety of constructions including relative clauses, participle phrases, and conditionals.

Sample 2: Work-Life Balance

Question: Some people believe that employees should work long hours to achieve career success, while others think maintaining work-life balance is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Band 9 Model Answer:

The debate over whether career advancement requires extensive work hours or whether work-life balance should take precedence reflects fundamental differences in how people define success and fulfillment. Each perspective contains compelling arguments that warrant examination.

Those who advocate for extended work hours argue that career excellence demands intensive effort and dedication that cannot be achieved through standard schedules. In highly competitive fields such as law, finance, or technology startups, professionals who limit their availability to conventional hours may struggle to advance compared to colleagues willing to invest additional time. A junior consultant at a prestigious firm, for example, who consistently works beyond office hours demonstrates commitment that often translates into faster promotions and more significant project assignments. This perspective holds that temporary sacrifices during crucial career-building years lay the foundation for long-term success and financial security.

In contrast, proponents of work-life balance emphasize that sustainable productivity and overall well-being require clear boundaries between professional and personal life. Research consistently demonstrates that overwork leads to burnout, decreased cognitive performance, and serious health consequences, including cardiovascular disease and mental health problems. Moreover, professionals who maintain balanced lives often exhibit greater creativity and problem-solving abilities, as time away from work allows for mental restoration and fresh perspectives. Companies like Microsoft Japan, which experimented with four-day work weeks, reported productivity increases of nearly 40%, suggesting that longer hours do not necessarily correlate with superior output.

My position aligns firmly with prioritizing work-life balance over excessive work hours. While I acknowledge that certain career stages may temporarily require additional effort, the notion that sustained overwork leads to success ignores overwhelming evidence about human cognitive limitations and health consequences. True career success should encompass not only professional achievement but also personal fulfillment, health, and meaningful relationships—elements that inevitably suffer when work dominates one's existence. The most effective professionals are those who work intelligently and efficiently during defined hours rather than simply working longer.

(Word count: 317)

Analysis:

Task Response (Band 9): Both perspectives thoroughly discussed with specific reasoning and examples. Personal opinion clearly stated and justified in the final paragraph.

Coherence and Cohesion (Band 9): Well-structured with distinct paragraphs for each view. Effective use of contrast markers ("In contrast," "My position aligns"). Clear progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource (Band 9): Wide range of precise vocabulary ("fundamental differences," "intensive effort," "cognitive performance," "sustained overwork"). Academic register maintained throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy (Band 9): Sophisticated grammar with varied structures. Complex sentences with subordination and coordination. Error-free writing.

Sample 3: Public Transport vs. Private Cars

Question: Some people think governments should invest heavily in public transportation, while others believe that improving roads for private vehicles is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Band 9 Model Answer:

Urban transportation infrastructure represents one of the most significant investment decisions facing modern governments. The debate centers on whether public funds should prioritize collective transit systems or road networks for private vehicles, with both positions supported by substantial reasoning.

Advocates for public transportation investment emphasize its environmental benefits and capacity to address urban congestion effectively. Mass transit systems such as metro networks, bus rapid transit, and light rail can transport thousands of people using significantly less energy per passenger than private vehicles while producing substantially lower emissions. Cities like Tokyo and Singapore have demonstrated that comprehensive public transit networks can virtually eliminate dependence on private cars for daily commuting, dramatically reducing air pollution and traffic congestion. Furthermore, robust public transportation provides mobility options for economically disadvantaged citizens who cannot afford private vehicles, promoting social equity and economic opportunity.

Conversely, those favoring road infrastructure improvements argue that private vehicles offer flexibility and convenience that public transport cannot match. Personal cars enable door-to-door travel on individual schedules without transfers, waiting times, or route limitations inherent in fixed transit systems. This flexibility proves essential for families with children, individuals with mobility challenges, or professionals whose work requires visiting multiple locations daily. Additionally, in less densely populated suburban or rural areas, public transportation often proves economically unviable due to insufficient ridership, making quality road infrastructure the only practical transportation solution.

In my judgment, while private vehicle infrastructure serves important purposes, governments should prioritize public transportation investment in urban areas. The environmental imperative of reducing carbon emissions, combined with the mathematical impossibility of accommodating unlimited private vehicles in dense city centers, makes robust public transit not merely preferable but necessary. However, this investment should be strategically targeted—focusing on high-density urban corridors where public transport achieves maximum efficiency, while maintaining road infrastructure in areas where population density cannot sustain transit systems.

(Word count: 307)

Analysis:

Task Response (Band 9): Comprehensive discussion of both perspectives with relevant examples. Personal opinion clearly articulated with nuanced understanding (urban vs. rural distinction).

Coherence and Cohesion (Band 9): Excellent paragraph organization. Smooth transitions between views ("Conversely," "In my judgment"). Each paragraph focused on one clear idea.

Lexical Resource (Band 9): Sophisticated topic-specific vocabulary ("mass transit systems," "economically unviable," "mobility challenges," "population density"). Precise word choices throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy (Band 9): Complex grammatical structures with perfect accuracy. Effective use of comparative structures and conditional forms.

Sample 4: University Education vs. Vocational Training

Question: Some people believe that university education is essential for career success, while others think that vocational training and work experience are more valuable. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Band 9 Model Answer:

The pathway to career success remains a contentious topic, with divergent opinions on whether traditional university education or practical vocational training better prepares individuals for professional achievement. Both educational approaches offer distinct advantages depending on career goals and individual circumstances.

Supporters of university education argue that higher academic credentials provide essential theoretical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and professional opportunities unavailable to non-graduates. Many prestigious careers—including medicine, law, engineering, and scientific research—require university degrees as fundamental entry requirements. Beyond specific knowledge, university education develops analytical thinking, research capabilities, and communication skills applicable across diverse professional contexts. Graduates also benefit from alumni networks and institutional reputations that facilitate career advancement. Data consistently shows that university graduates earn significantly higher lifetime incomes compared to those with only secondary education, suggesting tangible economic returns on educational investment.

In contrast, advocates for vocational training emphasize that practical skills development and immediate workforce entry offer advantages that theoretical university study cannot provide. Vocational programs in fields such as plumbing, electrical work, culinary arts, or healthcare technology typically require 1-2 years compared to 3-4 year university degrees, enabling students to begin earning earlier and avoid substantial student debt. Furthermore, many vocational careers face skilled labor shortages, virtually guaranteeing employment for qualified practitioners. A trained electrician or dental hygienist can often earn competitive salaries comparable to many university graduates while enjoying greater job security and lower educational costs.

My perspective recognizes that career success depends more on alignment between education and career objectives than on educational type. University education proves essential for knowledge-intensive professions requiring theoretical foundations, while vocational training more effectively prepares individuals for skilled technical careers. Rather than viewing these paths as competing alternatives, society should value both equally and guide students toward whichever route better matches their aptitudes, interests, and career aspirations. The electrician who excels at skilled trades deserves equal respect as the engineer who pursued academic study.

(Word count: 314)

Analysis:

Task Response (Band 9): Both viewpoints thoroughly explored with specific examples and reasoning. Personal opinion is nuanced and well-developed, acknowledging merit in both approaches.

Coherence and Cohesion (Band 9): Clear structure with dedicated paragraphs for each view. Effective transitions ("In contrast," "My perspective"). Logical flow throughout.

Lexical Resource (Band 9): Wide-ranging vocabulary ("contentious topic," "prestigious careers," "tangible economic returns," "knowledge-intensive professions"). Natural academic style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy (Band 9): Sophisticated sentence structures with perfect grammar. Variety of complex forms including relative clauses and comparatives.

Sample 5: Animal Testing in Scientific Research

Question: Some people believe that animal testing is necessary for medical and scientific progress, while others argue it is cruel and should be banned. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Band 9 Model Answer:

Animal testing in scientific research remains one of the most ethically contentious issues in modern society, dividing opinion between those who view it as necessary for human advancement and those who consider it morally indefensible. Both positions merit serious examination, given the profound implications for both medical progress and animal welfare.

Proponents of animal testing argue that it has proven indispensable for developing life-saving medical treatments and ensuring product safety. Virtually every major medical breakthrough of the past century—including vaccines for polio and COVID-19, cancer treatments, insulin for diabetes, and organ transplant techniques—relied on animal models during development. Scientists contend that biological complexity cannot be fully replicated through computer simulations or cell cultures, making animal testing currently irreplaceable for understanding how potential treatments affect living systems. Furthermore, regulatory requirements mandate animal safety testing before human trials can commence, protecting human subjects from unknown risks. From this perspective, animal testing represents an unfortunate but necessary sacrifice that has saved millions of human lives.

Conversely, animal rights advocates maintain that inflicting suffering on sentient beings for human benefit is ethically unjustifiable regardless of potential benefits. Animals used in experiments often endure painful procedures, confinement, and ultimately death, raising fundamental questions about whether humans possess the moral right to exploit other species. Additionally, critics highlight scientific limitations of animal testing: significant biological differences between species mean that animal results frequently fail to predict human responses accurately. Drugs that appeared safe in animal trials have later caused serious harm to human patients, while potentially beneficial treatments may be discarded because they performed poorly in animal models. Alternative research methods—including advanced computer modeling, human tissue cultures, and organs-on-chips technology—increasingly offer more accurate results without ethical concerns.

In my view, while animal testing has historically contributed to medical progress, ethical considerations and emerging alternatives should drive a rapid transition away from animal experimentation. The development of sophisticated alternatives that often provide more reliable human-relevant data means that animal testing is becoming scientifically obsolete as well as morally questionable. Where alternatives do not yet exist, research efforts should intensively focus on developing them rather than accepting animal testing as inevitable.

(Word count: 353) 

Analysis:

Task Response (Band 9): Comprehensive discussion of both perspectives with specific examples. Clear personal opinion that acknowledges complexity while taking a definite stance.

Coherence and Cohesion (Band 9): Well-organized structure with balanced paragraph development. Effective use of discourse markers ("Conversely," "Additionally," "In my view"). Logical progression.

Lexical Resource (Band 9): Sophisticated vocabulary ("ethically contentious," "indispensable," "sentient beings," "scientifically obsolete"). Precise terminology used naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy (Band 9): Complex sentence structures with perfect accuracy. Wide variety of grammatical forms including conditionals, relative clauses, and passive constructions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring One Side or Giving Unequal Treatment

The Problem: Many candidates write extensively about one viewpoint (often the one they agree with) while barely mentioning the opposing view.

Example of Poor Balance:

·        Paragraph 1 (supporting online shopping): 150 words with detailed examples

·        Paragraph 2 (supporting traditional retail): 60 words with vague statements

Why It Fails: Discussion essays explicitly require balanced treatment of both views. Examiners will penalize you for Task Response if one perspective is significantly underdeveloped.

Solution: Allocate approximately equal word counts to each viewpoint. If one paragraph is getting too long, develop the other paragraph more fully rather than cutting the first one.

2. Mixing Both Views in the Same Paragraph

The Problem: Discussing both perspectives within a single body paragraph creates confusion and poor organization.

Example of What NOT to Do: "Some people think public transport is better because it reduces pollution, but others prefer cars because they are convenient. However, trains are faster, although driving gives you freedom..."

Why It Fails: This creates a disorganized, hard-to-follow argument that damages your Coherence and Cohesion score.

Solution: Dedicate one complete paragraph to each viewpoint:

·        Body Paragraph 1: Only discuss View A

·        Body Paragraph 2: Only discuss View B

·        Body Paragraph 3 or Conclusion: Your personal opinion

3. Weak or Missing Personal Opinion

The Problem: The question explicitly asks for "your opinion," yet many candidates either omit their personal stance entirely or state it so vaguely that it's unclear what they actually think.

Weak Opinion Examples:

·        "Both views have advantages, and it depends on the situation." (Too vague)

·        "I think both perspectives are valid." (Doesn't take a stance)

·        Failing to include any personal opinion at all

Why It Fails: Not providing a clear personal opinion results in an incomplete Task Response, typically capping your score at Band 6 regardless of other qualities.

Strong Opinion Example: "While both approaches have merit, I believe that work-life balance should take precedence over extended work hours, as sustainable productivity and personal well-being ultimately contribute more to long-term career success than temporary periods of overwork."

Solution: Your opinion should clearly indicate:

·        Which view you support (or if you find middle ground, explain how)

·        Why you hold this position

·        Your reasoning should be explicit, not open to interpretation

4. Introducing Your Opinion Too Early

The Problem: Some candidates express their personal bias while supposedly discussing one viewpoint objectively.

Example: "Some people believe online shopping is better, and they are absolutely right because..."

Why It Fails: This undermines the objective presentation required in discussion essays and suggests you're not genuinely considering both perspectives.

Solution: Save evaluative language for your opinion paragraph/section. In viewpoint paragraphs, use neutral language like "Advocates argue that..." or "From this perspective..."

Practice Questions

Test your skills with these discussion essay prompts:

Practice Question 1

Some people believe that children should spend more time learning practical skills like cooking and personal finance, while others think academic subjects should be the priority in schools. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Practice Question 2

Some people think that artificial intelligence will improve our lives, while others are concerned it will lead to widespread unemployment and loss of privacy. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Practice Question 3

Some people believe that space exploration is a waste of money that should be spent on solving problems on Earth, while others think it is essential for human progress. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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