Two-part question essays
Answer direct-question essays (for example 'Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development?') fully and equally: one paragraph per question, a thesis that answers both, and an opinion only where the question asks for one.
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Recognise a two-part (direct question) prompt and identify exactly what each question asks for
- Read scope words ('for society', 'on children', 'in your country') and the reference of 'this' so that each answer is precisely on target
- Write a thesis that answers both questions directly instead of announcing what the essay will do
- Give each question its own fully developed body paragraph of roughly equal length
- Give an opinion where the question asks for one, including a clear but qualified verdict, and leave it out where it does not
How to recognise a two-part question
Look for two separate questions with question marks at the end of the prompt. The first sentence or two describe a trend or situation; they are background, not an instruction.
Common pairs include:
- Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development?
- What are the reasons for this? What can be done about it?
- Why do people…? What effects does this have on…?
- How has… changed in recent years? Do you think these changes are good or bad?
- What are the most important qualities of…? Are these qualities different from those needed in the past?
Some pairs overlap with other essay types. Why is this happening? What can be done? is also a cause–solution essay, and What are the advantages? Do they outweigh the disadvantages? is an advantages/disadvantages hybrid. Whatever you call them, the method is the same: answer each question, fully, in its own paragraph.
Read the question words like an examiner
Each question word tells you what kind of content to supply:
- Why…? → reasons and causes, explained. No opinion is required.
- What effects / problems…? → consequences, developed with examples.
- What can be done…? / How can…be solved / encouraged? → measures, with who does what.
- How has… changed? → a description of changes or ways.
- Is this positive or negative? / Do you think this is a good thing? / Which is more important? → a verdict, with justification.
Only the last group asks for your opinion. Many candidates write In my opinion… in answer to Why…? questions. It is not wrong to show some judgement, but the examiner is looking for reasons, not views.
What each half of the prompt demands
| Question | You must supply | Opinion needed? | Typical body paragraph |
|---|---|---|---|
Why is this happening? | Reasons / causes, explained | No | Two reasons, each with an explanation or example |
Is this a positive or negative development? | A verdict, possibly qualified | Yes | Verdict in the topic sentence, two supporting reasons, an optional concession |
What effects does this have (on…)? | Consequences for the group named | No | Two effects, each traced through a chain of consequences |
What can be done (to…)? | Practical measures | No (but they must be realistic) | Two solutions with WHO–WHAT–HOW–WHY |
Do you think this is a good thing? | Yes / no / mainly yes, with reasons | Yes | Same as positive / negative |
How has… changed? | A description of changes | No | Two or three changes, compared with the past |
Which is more important, A or B? | A choice between A and B | Yes | Your choice and why, often after acknowledging the other |
Scope words and the meaning of 'this'
Read every word of each question. Small phrases change what you must write:
- What effects does this have on family life? → effects on families: meals together, childcare, relationships. Not effects on the economy.
- Is this a positive or negative development for society? → think beyond the individual: public health, communities, the economy.
- What can individuals do…? → personal actions. A paragraph about government policy misses the point.
- …in your country? → give examples from Bangladesh (or wherever you live). That is a gift, because you know the context.
Also check what this refers to in the second question. In More people are working from home. Why is this? Is this a positive development?, the second this means the trend of working from home, not the reasons for it. Your verdict must be about the trend itself.
A balanced word budget
For a 280–300 word essay, plan roughly:
| Part | Words | Job |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | 40–55 | Paraphrase the situation + a thesis answering both questions |
| Body 1 | 100–120 | Question 1, fully developed |
| Body 2 | 100–120 | Question 2, fully developed |
| Conclusion | 30–45 | Both answers again, briefly |
If one body paragraph is twice as long as the other, you have probably over-answered one question and under-answered the other.
Planning a two-part essay in five minutes
- 1
Label the questions (30 seconds)
Write Q1 and Q2 above the two questions. Circle the question words (Why, What effects, positive or negative) and underline any scope words (for society, on children).
- 2
Decide what 'this' means (15 seconds)
Name the trend in a few words of your own (more people freelancing). This keeps both answers focused on exactly the same topic.
- 3
Brainstorm two ideas for EACH question (3 minutes)
Give each question the same number of ideas. If Q2 asks for a verdict, decide it now and choose two reasons that support it, plus one concession if you want extra depth.
- 4
Draft a thesis that answers both (1 minute)
One sentence, two answers: This shift is driven mainly by A and B, and I believe it is a largely positive development. Do not write This essay will discuss why this happens and whether it is good or bad. That only repeats the questions.
- 5
Echo each question in a topic sentence
Body 1: There are two main reasons why… Body 2: In my view, this is a largely positive development. The examiner can see at a glance which question each paragraph answers.
- 6
Close with both answers
The conclusion restates the reasons in a phrase and the verdict in a clause. Nothing new.
Thesis statements for the freelancing prompt
Band 5–6 thesis
This essay will discuss the reasons for this trend and whether it is a positive or negative development.
Band 8 thesis
This shift is driven mainly by technology and by changing attitudes to work, and I believe it is a largely positive development, provided that freelancers are given basic financial protection.
The band 5–6 thesis simply turns the two questions into a statement. It answers nothing, so the examiner must read to the end to find the writer's position. The band 8 thesis answers Q1 in a phrase (technology, changing attitudes) and Q2 with a clear, qualified verdict (largely positive, provided that…). The essay that follows only has to develop what the thesis has already promised.
Verdicts: clear does not mean extreme
When the second question asks positive or negative?, three kinds of answer work well, and one does not.
Works:
- One-sided: I believe this is a negative development. Simple and clear; support it with two strong reasons.
- Weighted: On the whole, this is a positive development, despite some real risks. Your main reasons support the positive side, with a concession for the risks. This is usually the most convincing choice.
- Split but precise: This trend is positive for individual workers but negative for public finances. This is a clear position because it says exactly who gains and who loses, and the paragraph then explains both.
Does not work:
- Vague: It has both positive and negative sides. / It depends. These describe almost everything in life and answer nothing.
Whichever verdict you choose, keep it identical in the thesis, the topic sentence of Body 2 and the conclusion. A writer who says largely positive in the introduction and more harmful than helpful in the conclusion does not have a clear position.
Check your understanding
7 questions- 1
Which of these is a two-part (direct question) prompt?
- 2
'Fewer people are cooking meals at home than in the past. Why is this? What effects does this have on family life?' Choose TWO things the essay must do.
Select 2.
- 3
'Many people now work from home. Why is this? Is it a positive or negative development?' What does 'it' in the second question refer to?
- 4
Prompt: 'Many young people leave their home towns to work in big cities. Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development?' Which thesis answers BOTH questions?
- 5
Match each question word to what you must supply.
Why…?What can be done…?Is this positive or negative?What effects…?How has… changed? - 6
Student's plan for 'Why do so many people shop online? Is this a positive or negative development?' Introduction. Body 1: one sentence (because it is cheaper). Body 2: why online shopping is negative for local shops. Body 3: why online shopping is negative for the environment. Conclusion.
This plan gives balanced coverage to both questions.
- 7
There are two main reasons so many people now shop online.
Answer every question to check.
Prompt: In many countries, a growing number of people are choosing to work for themselves as freelancers rather than for a single employer. Why is this happening? Is this a positive or negative development?
Across the world, and particularly in countries such as Bangladesh, increasing numbers of people are leaving traditional employment to sell their skills independently. This shift is driven mainly by technology and by changing attitudes to work, and I believe it is a largely positive development, provided that freelancers are given basic financial protection.
There are two main reasons for this trend. The first is technological. Online platforms now connect a graphic designer in Rajshahi or a programmer in Sylhet with clients in London or Toronto, so skilled workers no longer need to live in the capital, or even in the same country as their employer, to earn a good income. The second reason is a change in what people want from work. Many younger workers value control over their hours and projects more than a fixed salary, especially as jobs for life with a single company have become far less common than they were for their parents' generation.
In my view, this is a largely positive development. For individuals, freelancing rewards skill rather than personal connections, giving talented people from small towns access to international markets and to incomes well above local wages. For the national economy, it brings in foreign earnings without the need for expensive offices or factories. Admittedly, freelancers have no sick pay, pension or guaranteed income, and losing a major client can leave them in serious difficulty. However, these risks could be reduced if governments allowed freelancers to join pension and insurance schemes and made it simpler to receive payments from abroad. The weaknesses of freelancing are therefore problems to be solved rather than reasons to discourage it.
In conclusion, the rise of freelancing is fuelled by digital platforms and a growing desire for independence. Although it brings real insecurity, its benefits for individuals and the wider economy make it a positive change overall, especially if sensible protections are introduced.
- Thesis answers both questions'Driven mainly by technology and by changing attitudes to work' answers Q1; 'a largely positive development, provided that…' answers Q2. The examiner knows both answers after two sentences.
- Body 1 = Question 1 onlyThe topic sentence echoes the question ('two main reasons for this trend'). Each reason is explained, not just named: platforms → workers can live anywhere → good income; changing values → control matters more than a fixed salary → jobs for life are rarer. There is no opinion here, because 'Why?' does not ask for one.
- Specific, local examplesRajshahi, Sylhet, London, Toronto: concrete places make the idea vivid and believable. The prompt does not say 'in your country', but using what you know well is always effective.
- Body 2 = Question 2 onlyThe topic sentence repeats the verdict word for word from the thesis ('a largely positive development'), so the position is clear throughout. Two levels of benefit (individuals, national economy) support it.
- Concession + rebuttal'Admittedly… However…' shows the writer has considered the downside and explains why it does not change the verdict: the risks can be managed. This is what makes 'largely positive' sound thoughtful rather than one-sided.
- Balanced lengthBody 1 is about 105 words and Body 2 about 115: neither question is short-changed.
- Conclusion answers both againQ1 in a phrase ('fuelled by digital platforms and a growing desire for independence'), Q2 in a clause ('a positive change overall'). The synonyms 'fuelled by' and 'independence' avoid copying the introduction.
Examiner commentary on the model
Task Response (8–9): Both questions are answered fully, with one paragraph each and similar depth. The position on Q2 is clear and consistent, and it is qualified intelligently (provided that…). Ideas are extended with explanation and specific examples.
Coherence and Cohesion (8–9): The paragraph-per-question structure makes the progression effortless to follow. Topic sentences signal each paragraph's job, and reference (this trend, this shift, these risks) links ideas without a chain of Moreover and Furthermore.
Lexical Resource (8–9): Sell their skills independently, jobs for life, rewards skill rather than personal connections, foreign earnings, guaranteed income, fuelled by: precise, natural and topic-specific.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (8–9): Conditional verdicts (provided that…), a second conditional (could be reduced if governments allowed…), participle clauses (giving talented people…) and comparatives (far less common than…), all controlled.
If the second question had asked 'What effects does this have?'
Body 2 would change from a verdict to consequences, and In my view would disappear:
The effects of this trend are felt both by workers and by the wider economy. Talented people from small towns can now earn international incomes without moving to Dhaka, which in turn reduces pressure on the capital. At the same time, a growing share of the workforce has no pension or sick pay, which may place a heavy burden on families and the state in the future.
Notice that it still evaluates a little (a heavy burden), but it never needs to declare the trend positive or negative overall.
Answering 'Is this a positive or negative development?'
Band 6 Body 2
There are some advantages of freelancing. People can work at home and they can choose their time. Also they can earn more money. However, there are also some disadvantages. Freelancers do not have job security and sometimes they do not get payment on time. So freelancing has both positive and negative sides.
Band 8 Body 2
In my view, this is a largely positive development. For individuals, freelancing rewards skill rather than personal connections, giving talented people from small towns access to international markets and to incomes well above local wages. Admittedly, freelancers have no sick pay or pension, and losing a major client can leave them in serious difficulty. However, these risks could be reduced if governments allowed freelancers to join pension schemes, so they are problems to be solved rather than reasons to discourage the trend.
The band 6 paragraph answers a question that was not asked (What are the advantages and disadvantages?) and ends on the fence ('both positive and negative sides'). Its points are listed rather than explained. The band 8 paragraph opens with the verdict, supports it with one developed benefit, concedes the main risk fairly and explains why the risk does not change the verdict. The same raw ideas appear in both; only the band 8 version actually answers the question.
Writing Task 2 practice
250+ words · 40 minIn many countries, young people increasingly get their news from social media rather than from newspapers or television.
Why is this happening? What effects does this have on individuals and society?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Self-check before submitting
- ☐ My thesis answers BOTH questions directly (the main reasons + the overall nature of the effects); it does not just announce what the essay will do
- ☐ Body 1 answers 'Why?' only, with two reasons that are explained, not just listed
- ☐ Body 2 answers 'What effects?' and covers BOTH individuals AND society, as the scope words require
- ☐ I did not add a paragraph of solutions or a positive/negative verdict, because neither was asked
- ☐ The two body paragraphs are roughly equal in length (about 100–120 words each)
- ☐ Each body paragraph opens with a topic sentence that echoes its question
- ☐ I used at least one specific example (a place, a group of people, a situation)
- ☐ My conclusion restates both answers briefly, and the essay is at least 250 words
Final quiz: two-part question essays
11 questions- 1
'Nowadays, in many families both parents work full-time. Why is this? What effects does it have on children?' Which plan is best?
- 2
Find and correct the mistake:
There are many reasons why do people move to big cities.
- 3
Find and correct the mistake:
I believe this is a positive development because of it creates jobs.
- 4
In my view, this is a positive development, although it carries some risks.
- 5
Choose TWO acceptable answers to 'Is this a positive or negative development?'
Select 2.
- 6
Your essay has a 60-word introduction, a 165-word Body 1 and a 40-word Body 2. What is the main risk?
- 7
Put these sentences into a logical Body 2 for 'More older people are using social media. Is this a positive or negative development?'
Drag the cards (or use the arrows) into the correct order.
- 1Admittedly, older users are often targeted by online scams.
- 2However, this risk can be reduced through simple training at community centres, and it is far outweighed by the benefit of reduced loneliness.
- 3Most importantly, social media helps older people stay in touch with children and grandchildren who live far away.
- 4On the whole, I believe this is a positive development.
- 5A grandmother in Sylhet, for instance, can now see her grandchildren in London every day on a video call.
- 8
What effects does this trend have family life?
- 9
Match each topic sentence to the question it answers.
The most obvious reason for this shift is cost.On balance, this trend is doing more harm than good.Several measures could help to reverse this decline.The impact on children is especially significant. - 10
Prompt: 'Why are more people living in cities? Is this a positive or negative development for the environment?' Student's Body 2 argues that city life is positive because people earn higher salaries and have better access to hospitals.
Body 2 answers the second question as it is asked.
- 11
Which conclusion best ends the freelancing essay ('Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development?')?
Answer every question to check.
Key takeaways
Language for explaining trends and judging them
Saved as flashcards with a free accountbe driven by
phrase/bi ˈdrɪvn baɪ/
to be caused or strongly influenced by something
দ্বারা চালিত হওয়া
The growth of online shopping has been driven by cheap smartphones and mobile payments.
shift
noun/ʃɪft/
a change in position, direction or attitude
পরিবর্তন, স্থানান্তর
There has been a clear shift from printed newspapers to online news.
development
noun/dɪˈveləpmənt/
a new event or stage that changes a situation
নতুন ঘটনা বা অগ্রগতি
The rise in remote work is a welcome development for many parents.
largely
adverb/ˈlɑːdʒli/
mostly or mainly, but not completely
মূলত, বেশিরভাগ ক্ষেত্রে
I believe this is a largely positive trend, despite some risks.
detrimental
adjective/ˌdetrɪˈmentl/
causing harm or damage
ক্ষতিকর
Too much screen time can be detrimental to children's sleep.
beneficial
adjective/ˌbenɪˈfɪʃl/
having a good or helpful effect
উপকারী
Flexible working hours are beneficial for both employees and employers.
autonomy
noun/ɔːˈtɒnəmi/
the freedom to make your own decisions and control your own work or life
স্বাধীনতা, স্বায়ত্তশাসন
Many freelancers value autonomy more than a fixed monthly salary.
underlying
adjective/ˌʌndəˈlaɪɪŋ/
real but not immediately obvious; forming the basis of something
অন্তর্নিহিত
The underlying reason for the trend is the rising cost of living.
erode
verb/ɪˈrəʊd/
to gradually weaken or destroy something
ধীরে ধীরে ক্ষয় করা
Constant misinformation can erode public trust in the media.
polarisation
noun/ˌpəʊləraɪˈzeɪʃn/
the division of a group into two opposing sides with very different opinions
মেরুকরণ
Some researchers link social media algorithms to growing political polarisation.
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