Tech Notes

Topic & Why It Matters

Two-part questions ask you to answer two related prompts in one essay. They often combine a cause question with an opinion question, such as Why is this happening? and Is this a positive or negative development?

Candidates lose marks when they write a strong answer to the first question but treat the second question as a short add-on. A clear plan splits the prompt, gives each half its own paragraph, and keeps the final judgement visible from the introduction to the conclusion.

Knowledge Points

Two-part questions contain two separate tasks

A high-scoring answer must respond to both questions directly. If the prompt asks why something is happening and whether it is positive or negative, one paragraph cannot do all the work.

Split the prompt before planning

Underline Question 1 and Question 2, then write a one-sentence answer to each. These two mini-answers become the spine of your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Body paragraphs should map clearly to the questions

The safest structure is Body 1 for Question 1 and Body 2 for Question 2. This makes your task response obvious to the examiner and prevents accidental overdevelopment of only one half.

The second question may require an opinion

Many two-part prompts combine an explanation question with an opinion question: 'Why is this happening? Is this positive or negative?' If there is an opinion question, give a clear position in the introduction.

Balanced paragraphing does not mean equal word count

Both questions must be answered, but the harder question may need slightly more space. Avoid spending 180 words on Question 1 and leaving Question 2 as a short afterthought.

Do not force a memorised essay type

Two-part questions can look like cause/effect, opinion, or advantages/disadvantages essays, but the exact prompt controls the structure. Answer the two questions written on the page, not the essay type you expected.

Structure Template

Four paragraphs, about 260-280 words total. The simplest safe structure is one body paragraph for each question.

Paragraph	Target	What to Write
Paragraph 1 — Introduction	40-55 words	Paraphrase the topic and give short answers to both questions. If Question 2 asks for an opinion, state that position clearly.
Paragraph 2 — Answer Question 1	85-100 words	Develop the first question with one or two main reasons, causes, effects, or explanations. Use examples only if they support the exact question.
Paragraph 3 — Answer Question 2	95-110 words	Answer the second question directly. If it asks for judgement, explain your position and acknowledge the weaker side briefly.
Paragraph 4 — Conclusion	35-45 words	Summarise both answers in one compact paragraph. Do not introduce a new reason, example, or opinion.

Split-first rule: Write Q1 and Q2 in your plan before you write the introduction. If your thesis does not answer both, the essay is already incomplete.

Vocabulary & Grammar Toolkit

Expression	Usage Note
This is mainly because...	Direct answer to a 'why' question
One reason is that...	Simple opener for Question 1
A further explanation is...	Adds a second reason without sounding repetitive
This trend can be explained by...	Formal phrase for causes behind a development
The main factor is...	Useful when one reason is clearly more important
This happens when...	Good for explaining a mechanism or condition
As a result,...	Links a cause to its consequence
In terms of the second question,...	Clear transition when moving from Question 1 to Question 2
I consider this a positive / negative development	Direct opinion for positive-or-negative prompts
I would argue that...	Formal way to introduce a judgement
mostly positive / largely negative	Allows a clear position with nuance
This is beneficial because...	Develops a positive judgement
The main drawback is that...	Introduces a concession or negative judgement
This harm can be reduced if...	Conditional structure for a balanced argument
provided that...	Adds a condition to avoid an absolute claim
rather than...	Useful contrast for explaining choices or alternatives
outside major cities	Precise location phrase for urbanisation topics
stable employment	Better than 'good jobs' in formal writing
regional development	Useful phrase for rural/urban policy topics
support their families	Common collocation for migration and work topics
wider opportunities	Concise phrase for education, jobs, and lifestyle choices
weaken local communities	Precise negative effect for rural migration

Common Pitfalls

Mistake	Correction
Answering only one question	Before writing, label your plan Q1 and Q2. Each label should have at least one clear idea and one supporting explanation.
Writing two body paragraphs for the same question	If Body 1 explains why something happens, Body 2 should not give another long list of reasons unless the second question also asks for reasons.
Missing the opinion in Question 2	If the prompt asks 'Is this positive or negative?' or 'Do you agree?', your introduction and conclusion must include a clear position.
Using a memorised structure that ignores the wording	Do not automatically write 'advantages and disadvantages' unless the prompt asks for them. Split and answer the exact two questions.
Leaving the conclusion half-finished	The conclusion should summarise both answers, not only the final opinion. Mention Question 1 and Question 2 in compressed form.

Practice Prompt

Set a 40-minute timer. Spend five minutes writing one direct answer for each question before you start the essay.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

In many countries, young people are leaving rural areas to study or work in cities.

Why is this happening? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Write at least 250 words.

Planning reminder: Your introduction should answer both halves: "This is happening because...; overall, it is positive/negative because..."

My Response

0 / 250 words

250 more words needed

Model AnswerBand 7.5+ · 258 words

In many parts of the world, younger adults are moving from villages and small towns to larger cities for education and employment. This is mainly because urban areas offer wider opportunities and clearer career paths. Although the movement can weaken rural communities, I consider it a mostly positive development if governments also invest in regional areas.

The first reason is the gap in opportunity. Universities, training centres, hospitals, and large employers are usually concentrated in cities, so ambitious young people often see migration as the fastest route to stable work. Rural areas may provide strong family networks, but they often have fewer specialised courses and limited entry-level jobs outside agriculture or small retail. As a result, a teenager who wants to become an engineer, nurse, or designer may have little realistic choice except to leave.

Overall, the change is positive for individuals and national economies. City migration can raise incomes, expand skills, and allow young workers to support their families through savings or remittances. It also helps industries find the labour they need. The main drawback is that villages may lose energetic residents, which can reduce local businesses and leave older people with less support. However, this harm can be reduced if governments improve transport, internet access, and public services in rural districts, allowing some graduates to return or work remotely.

In short, young people move because cities concentrate education and work opportunities. While this can create pressure on rural communities, the long-term benefits for skills, income, and choice outweigh the drawbacks when regional areas are not neglected.

Annotated Commentary

Each paragraph is quoted, then broken down by examiner criteria. Notice how the essay separates the cause question from the judgement question while keeping both connected to one topic.

[ Thesis ]Paragraph 1 — Introduction

In many parts of the world, younger adults are moving from villages and small towns to larger cities for education and employment. This is mainly because urban areas offer wider opportunities and clearer career paths. Although the movement can weaken rural communities, I consider it a mostly positive development if governments also invest in regional areas.

Thesis'I consider it a mostly positive development' answers the opinion half of the prompt

Paraphrase'moving from villages and small towns to larger cities' reworks 'leaving rural areas'

Cohesive device'Although' acknowledges the negative side before the main judgement

Lexical upgrade'clearer career paths' is more precise than 'better future'

Two-part controlThe paragraph answers why it happens and whether it is positive or negative

[ Topic sentence ]Paragraph 2 — Answer Question 1

The first reason is the gap in opportunity. Universities, training centres, hospitals, and large employers are usually concentrated in cities, so ambitious young people often see migration as the fastest route to stable work. Rural areas may provide strong family networks, but they often have fewer specialised courses and limited entry-level jobs outside agriculture or small retail. As a result, a teenager who wants to become an engineer, nurse, or designer may have little realistic choice except to leave.

Topic sentence'The first reason is the gap in opportunity' clearly answers the why question

Cohesive device'As a result' links the opportunity gap to the decision to move

Complex grammar'a teenager who wants to become...' uses a relative clause to make the example specific

Lexical upgrade'entry-level jobs', 'stable work', and 'specialised courses' create topic-specific vocabulary

Task responseThe paragraph stays focused on causes rather than drifting into advantages

[ Judgement ]Paragraph 3 — Answer Question 2

Overall, the change is positive for individuals and national economies. City migration can raise incomes, expand skills, and allow young workers to support their families through savings or remittances. It also helps industries find the labour they need. The main drawback is that villages may lose energetic residents, which can reduce local businesses and leave older people with less support. However, this harm can be reduced if governments improve transport, internet access, and public services in rural districts, allowing some graduates to return or work remotely.

Topic sentence'the change is positive' gives a direct answer to Question 2

Cohesive device'However' marks the shift from drawback to mitigation

Complex grammar'which can reduce local businesses...' uses a relative clause to explain the drawback

Lexical upgrade'remittances', 'rural districts', and 'public services' are precise academic terms

BalanceThe writer admits a genuine disadvantage but explains why it does not overturn the positive judgement

[ Conclusion ]Paragraph 4 — Conclusion

In short, young people move because cities concentrate education and work opportunities. While this can create pressure on rural communities, the long-term benefits for skills, income, and choice outweigh the drawbacks when regional areas are not neglected.

Thesis restatedThe conclusion repeats the cause and final judgement in compressed form

Cohesive device'While' creates a concessive summary of the negative side

Complex grammar'when regional areas are not neglected' adds a condition to the judgement

Lexical upgrade'concentrate education and work opportunities' is stronger than 'have schools and jobs'

No new ideaThe paragraph summarises earlier answers and does not add a fresh example

Self-Check

Answer these from memory before looking back. If you cannot answer all, re-read the relevant section.

What two questions does the practice prompt ask?
Which body paragraph answers the first question, and which answers the second?
Write one introduction sentence that answers both parts of a two-part question.

Answers: (1) It asks why young people leave rural areas and whether this is positive or negative. (2) Body 1 answers the reason question; Body 2 answers the judgement question. (3) Sample: 'This trend is mainly caused by limited rural opportunities, and I consider it mostly positive because it expands education and employment choices.'

Task 2 — Two-Part Question