Writing Task 2 · Getting started · Lesson 2 of 18
Stating your position: the language of extent
Many students lose marks because they never say how strongly they agree or disagree. Learn the adverbs, adjectives and phrases that show the exact extent of your opinion.
In this lesson you will
- understand why “to what extent” needs more than “I agree”
- learn adverbs, adjectives and phrases for every point on the agree–disagree scale
- avoid the most common grammar mistakes with agree
- keep your position consistent from introduction to conclusion
Key idea
Why “extent” matters
“To what extent do you agree or disagree?” asks how much you agree, not just whether you agree. Writing only “I agree” is a common reason students lose marks for Task Response. For Band 7, the examiner wants a clear and developed position. At Band 6, the position may be there but unclear.
| Weak (no extent) | Strong (clear extent) |
|---|---|
| I agree that working from home is better. | I totally agree that it is better to work from home because it saves time and increases productivity. |
| I disagree with this statement. | I strongly disagree that celebrities are paid too much, although I accept that some salaries are extreme. |
| I agree and disagree. | I agree to a certain extent: cooking at home is healthier, but eating out has important social benefits. |
Vocabulary
The agree–disagree scale
Choose the phrase that matches exactly how strongly you feel.
| How strongly? | Adverbs and phrases |
|---|---|
| Completely agree | I completely / totally / fully / strongly / wholeheartedly agree that… · I am in complete / total / full agreement with… · I firmly believe that… · I am entirely convinced that… |
| Mostly agree | I largely / mostly / broadly agree that… · I agree to a large / great extent · I am broadly in favour of… |
| Partly agree | I partly / partially / somewhat agree… · I agree to some / a certain / a limited extent · While I accept that…, I believe… · I am in partial agreement with… |
| Mostly disagree | I largely / mostly disagree… · I disagree to a large extent · I have serious reservations about… |
| Completely disagree | I completely / totally / strongly / entirely disagree that… · I am firmly / strongly opposed to… · I completely reject the idea that… |
Four grammar patterns
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| adverb + agree / disagree | I strongly agree that… · I partly disagree with… |
| to a(n) + adjective + extent | I agree to a large extent. · I disagree to some extent. |
| be in + adjective + agreement | I am in complete agreement with this view. |
| be + adverb + adjective | I am firmly opposed to… · I am entirely convinced that… |
Common mistakes: ✗ I am agree → ✓ I agree · ✗ I very agree → ✓ I strongly agree · ✗ I agree in some extent → ✓ I agree to some extent · ✗ I agree with that working… → ✓ I agree that working… (agree with + noun, agree that + clause)
Place the phrases on the scale
How strongly does each phrase agree or disagree?
- I wholeheartedly agree that…
- I agree to a certain extent.
- I am firmly opposed to…
- I largely agree that…
- I have serious reservations about…
- I am in complete agreement with…
- While I accept that…, I believe…
- I completely reject the idea that…
- I agree to a great extent.
- I disagree to a large extent.
Complete the phrase
Type one word in each gap. The meaning is given in brackets.
- I agree that public transport should be free. (100% agree)
- I agree a large extent. (mostly agree)
- I am in agreement with this view. (100% agree)
- I agree, as there are strong arguments on both sides. (partly agree)
- I am opposed to this idea. (100% disagree)
- I agree to a extent. (partly agree)
- I am convinced that exams should be abolished. (100% agree)
- I disagree, although the idea has some merit. (mostly disagree)
Correct or incorrect?
Choose the correct sentence in each pair.
Position
Keep your position consistent
State your extent in the introduction, support it in the body paragraphs, and repeat it with a synonym in the conclusion. Don't change your mind halfway through. An unclear or changing position lowers your Task Response score.
Find the extent words
Here are the introduction and conclusion from the model answer in Lesson 3. Click the words that show how strongly the writer agrees. There are two.
extent word
Introduction: Many people prefer working from their house or apartment rather than in an office. I totally agree that it is better to work from home because it saves time and increases productivity.
Conclusion: In conclusion, I firmly believe that working from home is better. This is because it saves time travelling to and from an office and leads to higher levels of productivity.
totally agree and firmly believe express the same strong extent using different words. The position is consistent, and the vocabulary isn't repeated.
Which conclusion matches?
Choose the conclusion that is consistent with each introduction.
- Introduction: “…I strongly agree that cooking at home is better for families.”
- Introduction: “…I agree only to a limited extent that entertainers are paid too much.”
Write a thesis with a clear extent
For each question, write one sentence that states your position, how strongly you hold it, and your two main reasons.
- Many people say that cooking and eating at home is better for the individual and the family than eating out in restaurants. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Some people think that university education should be free for everyone. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Some people believe that children should not be allowed to own smartphones until they are 16. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- I wholeheartedly agree that home cooking is preferable, because it is healthier and brings families closer together.
- I agree to a large extent, since free tuition widens access to education and benefits the economy, although some limits on course length may be necessary.
- I partly agree: while smartphones can harm young children's concentration, older teenagers need them for safety and study.
Model answers and lesson materials by Tips4IELTS.