Task 2: Question Type Navigator (Detailed) - (Writing)

Map legend: how to identify the prompt in 60 seconds

• Opinion: to what extent do you agree or disagree, is this positive or negative
• Discussion: discuss both views and give your opinion
• Advantage vs Disadvantage: what are the advantages and disadvantages, do advantages outweigh disadvantages
• Problem and Solution: what problems, what solutions
• Cause and Effect: why is this the case, what are the causes, what are the effects
• Two part Direct: two separate questions in one prompt

Route A. Opinion essays

Thesis patterns

• One sided: I agree because R1 and R2.
• Balanced: While the view has merit, the stronger case supports X due to R1 and R2.

Paragraph recipe

• Body 1: Main reason with example and mini logic step.
• Body 2: Second reason or a short concession then rebuttal.
  Topic starters
• A key reason is that
• Another decisive factor is

Route B. Discussion both views

Thesis patterns

• Outline both sides then state your view: Although view A stresses P, view B is more convincing because R1 and R2.
  Paragraph recipe
• Body 1: Explain side A fairly.
• Body 2: Explain side B and show why it is stronger.
  Topic starters
• Supporters argue that
• However, a stronger view is that

Route C. Advantages and disadvantages

Thesis patterns

• Balanced: There are clear benefits, yet the drawbacks are non trivial.
• Weighing: Despite some costs, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages because R1 and R2.

Paragraph recipe

• Body 1: Two focused advantages plus consequence.
• Body 2: Two focused disadvantages plus mitigation.
  Topic starters
• A notable benefit is
• A major drawback is

Route D. Problem and solution

Thesis pattern

• The issue arises from C1 and C2, and can be reduced by S1 and S2.

Paragraph recipe

• Body 1: Problem 1 and its mechanism, then Problem 2.
• Body 2: Solution 1 with how it works, then Solution 2.
  Topic starters
• This stems from
• This can be tackled by

Route E. Cause and effect

Thesis pattern

• The main causes are C1 and C2, which lead to E1 and E2.

Paragraph recipe

• Body 1: Causes with short chains.
• Body 2: Effects with scope or severity.
  Topic starters
• Primarily because
• This results in

Route F. Two part direct question

Thesis pattern

• This essay answers Q1 by A1 and Q2 by A2.

Paragraph recipe

• Body 1: Address question 1 directly with one claim and one example.
• Body 2: Address question 2 in the same way.
  Topic starters
• Regarding the first question
• As for the second

Universal paragraph skeleton you can trust

• Intro: Paraphrase the task, end with a clear thesis that matches the route.
• Body 1: Topic sentence, brief explanation, example or micro evidence, mini conclusion.
• Body 2: Parallel structure to Body 1.
• Conclusion: Restate position and give a short implication or priority. No new ideas.

40 minute pacing blueprint

• 5 min analyze and plan: detect route, write thesis, outline topic sentences
• 28 min draft: 4 paragraphs and keep sentences clean and direct
• 7 min refine: cohesion, grammar, vocabulary, and word count 260 to 290

Idea generation shortcuts

• Use the 3 lenses: individual, industry or school, government.
• Use PAIR for depth: Problem, Action, Impact, Risk.
• Use SET for examples: statistics, example case, typical scenario.

Linking and logic bank

• Add: moreover, in addition, further
• Contrast: however, while, although, whereas
• Cause: because, since, due to, leads to
• Result: therefore, consequently, as a result
• Concession turn: it is true that, even if, despite this
• Hedges: largely, to some extent, often, typically

Grammar and tone

• Prefer present simple for general truths, past simple for dated examples, and conditionals for proposals.
• Keep subject noun heavy: government subsidies can reduce fees rather than they can reduce it.
• Avoid contractions and rhetorical questions. Keep examples realistic and brief.

Band safe vocabulary by topic

• Education: curriculum, vocational, equitable access, attainment
• Environment: emissions, conservation, renewable capacity, habitat loss
• Health: prevention, screening, mental wellbeing, sedentary lifestyle
• Technology: automation, data privacy, digital divide, scalable
• Society: inequality, civic engagement, demographic shift, urban density

Mistake radar

• Thesis does not match the question route
• Bodies repeat the same idea
• Overlong examples with weak logic
• Missing concession in discussion tasks
• No clear stance in opinion tasks
• New arguments added in the conclusion

One line thesis templates to copy

• Opinion one sided: I agree because it improves access and reduces cost.
• Opinion balanced: While risks exist, the benefits are stronger due to scale and speed.
• Discussion: Although critics value X for P, Y is preferable because Q and R.
• Adv vs Disadv weigh: Despite D1, the advantages outweigh the drawbacks since A1 and A2.
• Problem solution: The issue stems from C1 and C2, which can be eased by S1 and S2.
• Two part: The first question is best answered by A1, and the second by A2.

Quick drills

1. Label the route for three prompts and write a one line thesis for each.
2. Turn your thesis into two topic sentences that mirror the route.
3. Add one concession sentence to strengthen balance.
4. Replace informal words with formal equivalents.
5. Check cohesion by reading only the first sentences of each paragraph.

Two minute final check

Route detected and thesis aligned
Each body has one focused claim and one example
Logical links and clear concession where needed
Formal tone and precise vocabulary
Conclusion restates stance and priority
Word count 260 to 290, grammar clean

Use this navigator before every practice. Detect the route, drop in the matching thesis, and let the paragraph recipes carry the structure so you can focus on depth and clarity.