IELTS Writing Task 2 Lesson 2 Cause and Effect Essays

In this lesson, we will explore the Cause and Effect essay type in IELTS Academic Writing Task 2.

First, we will go over the four steps for approaching the Cause and Effect essay in IELTS Academic Writing Task 2. Then, we will take a closer look at how to plan each paragraph. Finally, we will examine two example questions and model essays.

After this lesson, you will be prepared to master this portion of the exam. Let’s get started!

Now let’s look at the four steps to approaching IELTS Academic Writing Task 2:

1. Read and Understand — The first thing you need to do in Writing Task 2 is fully understand the question and underline key words. Additionally, consider the following:

1. What type of essay will I need to write? (In this case, it is Cause and Effect.) You will be given a problem or situation, and your task is to describe the causes of the situation and some of the effects of the situation. Here is an example question:
   
   
   Question: Nowadays, many people communicate using social media and the Internet on a daily basis. However, this has led to an increase in online attacks and cyberbullying. What are some of the reasons why people take part in cyberbullying? What are the effects on children and teenagers who are victims of cyberbullying?
   
   
2. How familiar am I with this topic? This question is important because it may affect the outline you choose. If you are very familiar with one area of a topic (e.g., the causes of cyberbullying), you may want to devote a whole paragraph to each cause. If you are more comfortable writing about the effects, you could devote a whole paragraph to the effects.

2. Plan Your Outline — Now that you understand what the question is asking and which type of essay you must write, you’re ready to map out your outline. Do not skip this step. This should take only 2 or 3 minutes and will serve as your reference going forward.

Below are three outline types frequently used for Cause and Effect essays. In general, Outline A is used most often and is “foolproof.” In terms of scoring, all three would be considered cohesive and logical. It is extremely important that each cause has its own effect. In other words, if you mention two causes, be sure to mention two effects of those causes.

3. Make Outline Notes — After choosing and drafting your outline, add notes using keywords for the main sentence of each paragraph. This helps you “map out” your essay and see the overall structure. (We will look at this in more depth in the example later.)

4. Start Writing — After planning your outline, begin with your introduction and continue from there. Use a formal tone (avoid contractions, write out numbers below ten, etc.), and indent after each paragraph.

Using Outline A from the previous section, we will detail how each paragraph should be written. As a reminder, Outline A looks like this:

1. Introduction
2. Causes (1 & 2)
3. Effects (1 & 2)
4. Conclusion

In short, here is what the final Paragraph Planner would look like for Outline A:

Model Essay

Topic sentences are in bold.
Explanations and details are in red.
Examples are in blue.

Introduction:

Health problems including heart disease, obesity, and diabetes are becoming more widespread in developed countries. There are several reasons contributing to this problem, as well as potentially drastic long-term effects. (30 words)

Paragraph 1:

Lifestyle choices are important and major causes of poor health in developed countries. These days, it is perhaps easier and cheaper to follow an unhealthy diet. For example, the recent boom in fast-food restaurants and chains has enticed people to eat at these establishments rather than cooking healthy meals at home. Stress is another factor that has contributed to poor health. The fast-paced corporate culture and competitive work atmosphere make for a difficult work–life balance, resulting in little to no time for eating healthy or taking care of oneself. (90 words)

Paragraph 2:

These lifestyle choices will have drastic long-term effects. If people continue these unhealthy habits, the consequences may persist for generations. For instance, parents who have diabetes or are prone to obesity have a higher chance of passing these conditions on to their children, and so on. Consequently, these health problems could result in a higher cost of living. Due to increased demand for services, it is natural that the healthcare industry would charge higher prices, resulting in higher overall costs. (89 words)

Conclusion:

Poor lifestyle choices—ranging from unhealthy diets to higher stress—have certainly contributed to the decrease in health standards. If not properly addressed, these problems could cause harmful long-term effects for future generations in terms of disease and a higher cost of living. (45 words)

Total Word Count: 254 words

Write your essay on paper. To see the Band 9 model essay, go to the next part.

Model Essay

Many people currently decide not to have babies when they are young and wait until they get older instead. There are several reasons for this tendency, and it could have some impacts on family life as well as society.

To begin with, there are multiple reasons why individuals prefer to have children later in life. Firstly, this choice allows them to have more freedom and time to enjoy life during their younger years. For instance, it is easier for a young couple to travel when they do not have a baby to take care of. Secondly, those who are in the early stage of their careers usually earn less compared to when they are older. Therefore, many people choose to start a family only after accumulating enough financial stability to ensure a better standard of living for their children.

However, this tendency might bring about certain negative effects on both families and society. The first issue is that having children later creates a significant age gap between parents and their children, which can make communication and understanding more difficult. In addition, giving birth at an older age increases health risks for both the mother and the baby. Consequently, if this trend becomes more widespread, it may negatively influence the overall health and vitality of the future workforce.

In conclusion, while there are clear reasons for why many people prefer to have children later in life, this growing trend can also result in several negative effects on both family life and society as a whole.

Total Word Count: 253 words