C2.

2 Lesson IX
Discuss
IELTS Writing: Task 2
The Internet is often harmful, especially to young people, due to the
amount and type of information people can access. To what extent do
you agree?

• This essay type question To what extent… is asking you “how much” you agree or disagree
with the opinion given.
• You DON’T HAVE TO develop arguments for the opposing opinion as in a discuss both sides
essay.
• You DO have to choose “how much you agree” (strongly, partially, to some extent, or even
totally disagree).
• You MUST use appropriate adjectives and adverbs which continuously support ”how much
or how little you agree”
IELTS Writing: Task 2
The Internet is often harmful, especially to young people, due to the
amount and type of information people can access. To what extent do
you agree?

• You can think of arguments for both sides and then decide which arguments can be
developed most effectively (not necessarily your own opinion) or decide immediately
your position AND To what extent…
• Brainstorm some ideas which support your To what extent… position.
• To begin the introduction, you need to paraphrase the ideas in the question and also
incorporate language which already supports your position. DO NOT simple swap words
for synonyms, restructure the ideas.
IELTS Writing: Task 2
The Internet is often harmful, especially to young people, due to the
amount and type of information people can access. To what extent do
you agree?

• You can think of arguments for both sides and then decide which arguments can be
developed most effectively (not necessarily your own opinion) or decide immediately your
position AND To what extent…
• Brainstorm some ideas (2-3) which support your To what extent… position.
• Rank the ideas because you may not need to use all three.
• To begin the introduction, you need to paraphrase the ideas in the question and also
incorporate language which already supports your position. DO NOT simple swap words
for synonyms, restructure the ideas.
IELTS Writing: Task 2
The Internet is often harmful, especially to young people, due to the
amount and type of information people can access. To what extent do
you agree?
• Position: Strongly agree
• Intro: The Internet enables people to access an almost infinite amount of information
with the click of a mouse or a tap of a finger. With such conveniences comes potential
danger, especially for impressionable youth. The Internet has profoundly changed
modern lifestyles, this is undeniable, but I strongly believe that the immense and largely
unmonitored amount of information on the Internet does in fact pose serious risks to the
youth of today .

• General idea about the topic (no opinion yet)

• These are ideas I would develop in my essay further in the essay.
IELTS Writing: Task 2
The Internet is often harmful, especially to young people, due to the
amount and type of information people can access. To what extent do
you agree?

• Position: Strongly agree (not because I do personally agree, but because strongly
agreeing or disagreeing allows you to use stronger language :-)
• Ideas why it’s so harmful
• Cyberbullying, Trolling (internet specific vocabulary) > bullies not confined to school, youth suicide
(worst case)
• Susceptible to phishing and pop-ups (seem innocent, incur huge charges)
• Controls in place, but young people can still access and be exposed to inappropriate content (Blue
Whale following > suicide or more recent Momo > scaring young kids).