6.6. Two-Part Essays
Number the two questions, plan an answer to each, and give the second one a full paragraph, one step at a time.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Many people now shop online rather than in local shops.
Why is this the case? Is this a positive or negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
The short version
Two direct questions, such as Why is this the case? and Is this positive or negative? Both must be answered.
You write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes.
One body paragraph per question, each developed with a because and an example.
Answering only one question caps your mark for task response, however good the English.
What you have to do
The test shows a situation, then two separate questions. They can be any pair: why and is it positive or negative, or who benefits and is it fair. Another is what are the causes and what can be done. You answer each in its own body paragraph. You write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes. It is marked on whether both questions are answered and developed, on organisation, vocabulary and grammar. A second question answered in one sentence counts as unanswered.
The second question is usually the harder one
The first question is often why, and reasons come easily. The second often asks for a judgement: positive or negative, fair or unfair, worth the cost or not. A judgement needs a side and a limit: mostly positive, except for people without internet access. Plan the second answer first, so it gets a full paragraph and not the last five minutes.
Step by step
- 1Read the question and find the task line
In the task above there are two question marks. Pick out each question separately: Why is this the case? and Is this a positive or negative development? Number them 1 and 2 in your notes. Then pick out the situation, shop online rather than in local shops, which both answers must stay on.
- 2Decide what the task demands: two answers
Each question gets its own answer, decided in the plan. Question 1 wants a reason with a because: because prices are easy to compare. Question 2 wants a judgement with a side: mostly negative for town centres, positive for people in villages. Write both answers down before you write the essay, so neither is forgotten.
- 3Paraphrase the question in your introduction
Sentence one restates the situation: Buying goods over the internet has largely replaced a trip to the high street for many people. Sentence two gives both answers in short: This is mainly because of convenience, and I believe it is a negative change for most towns. The examiner now knows both questions will be answered.
- 4Decide what to leave out
Leave out a second reason for question 1 if it would steal space from question 2. Leave out a paragraph of measures to help local shops: nobody asked. Leave out a fair report of two opposing views, which is a discussion essay's shape. Each body paragraph is one question, one answer, one because, one example.
- 5If you are stuck, use the fallback plan
Write four paragraphs. Introduction: situation paraphrased, then both answers in one sentence. Body 1: the answer to question 1, a because, an example. Body 2: the answer to question 2, a because, an example, and one limit. Conclusion: both answers again, in different words.
Quiz time5 questions
Each drill gives you the task line or the sentences it needs, so nothing has to be looked up. Practise one judgement at a time.
Name the type from the task line
Ignore the topic. Read the words after the statement and choose the essay type they set.
Read thisIn many countries, people are working later into their lives before they retire. What are the reasons for this? Is it a positive or negative trend for the people concerned?
Which essay type does this task line set?
Which sentence answers the second question?
Read the task, then choose the sentence that answers question 2 and only question 2.
Read thisTask: More people now cycle to work in large cities. Why is this happening? Is this a positive or negative development?
Which sentence answers positive or negative with a side?
Spot the paragraph that answers the wrong type
Each line is the first sentence of a paragraph. One paragraph belongs to a different essay type. Choose it.
Read thisTask: Many people now learn languages using apps instead of classes. Why is this? Is it a positive or negative development?
Which sentence contains the error?
Pick the plan that answers both questions
Read the task, then choose the plan that gives each question its own developed paragraph.
Read thisTask: Fewer people now read printed newspapers. Why is this the case? Is this a positive or negative development?
Which plan answers both questions?
Write the introduction only
Two sentences. Restate the situation in your own words, then give both answers in one sentence. Do not start the first body paragraph.
Read thisMany families now eat their meals in front of a screen. Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development?
Write the introduction for this task.
0 / 20 words
Set up your learning path at the top of this lesson to get band-specific feedback.
The full model
Below is the plan for a second two-part question, written the way the five steps produce it. Read the two answers, then check that each would fill a paragraph of its own.
In many countries, more young people are joining sports clubs. Why do they do this? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
Why: a weekly club is cheaper than a gym membership, and friends go there too. Positive or negative: mostly positive for fitness and a regular group, even if evening training can crowd out study in exam weeks.
Body 1 answers the why stem and body 2 answers the evaluation. If body 2 is only “it is good”, the second stem is undeveloped.
Your turn to write1 question
Answer the second stem only
Is joining sports clubs mostly positive or negative? Give a reason of your own, not the one in the plan above. Do not go back to the why stem.
In many countries, more young people are joining sports clubs. Why do they do this? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
0 / 25 words
Set up your learning path at the top of this lesson to get band-specific feedback.
Tips
- Open body 2 with the question's own words
This is a positive development for most people because tells the examiner at once that question 2 is being answered. The words of the question are the signpost.
- Give body 2 the same length as body 1
Count the lines. If body 2 is half the length of body 1, the second question is underdeveloped. That is the most common reason a two-part essay loses marks.
Recap
Find and number both questions. Each gets its own body paragraph.
Decide both answers before you write, and give both in the introduction and the conclusion.
A judgement needs a side and a limit. Leave out the second reason, the measures and the two-view report.
Next: the four criteria in detail, starting with Task Response.