How do I know if I need one or two ideas in my main body paragraphs?
In order to know how many ideas are required in main body paragraphs, you first need to be familiar with the recommended structures for each of the question types, which you will find in modules 8-12 in the IELTS Writing Academy Task 2.
If you are unsure about the recommended structure for a type of question, re-watch the video for the relevant question type.
Each module also has a Planning Template, which you can use to check you are using the correct structure, but it is important that you understand the purpose of each sentence, which is why you need to watch the videos first.
The question types for which students usually find it most difficult to decide how many ideas are required are: Advantages and Disadvantages (Module 11) and Double Questions (Module 12)
Advantages and Disadvantages:
There are two types of Advantages and Disadvantages question (Type 1 and Type 2), and these require a different number of ideas.
Chris explains the difference between these in IELTS Academy Task 2 Module 11 (minutes 7:20-10:30):
This is the only type of question that has TWO different Planning Templates to reflect the structures required for different number of ideas:
TYPE 1
TYPE 2
Double Questions:
Double questions consist of two questions, each of which may require one or two ideas. This is why it is important to carefully analyse each of the questions to see whether they require one or two ideas.
For more details on this, go to IELTS Academy Task 2 Module 12:
The Planning Template for Module 12 - Double Questions shows you how to adjust the number of sentences depending on how many ideas are needed:
https://www.ieltsadvantage.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Planning-Template-double-questions.docx
See below for some examples of Double Questions requiring a different number of ideas:
As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual wellbeing.
What are the factors that contribute to job satisfaction? (two ideas required as it asks for plural factors)
How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers? (one idea required as single direct question)
Nowadays many people choose to be self-employed, rather than to work for a company or organisation.
Why might this be the case? (one idea)
What could be the disadvantages of being self-employed? (two ideas)
Climate change is the biggest threat to life on our planet.
How accurate is this statement? (one idea)
Are there any other big threats to mankind? (one idea. This is because this is a direct question requiring a yes/no answer and one idea to back it up. If the question was: What other big threats to mankind are there?, it would require two ideas. This example shows that it is important to carefully check what the question is asking, rather than just checking for plural nouns.
