Writing · Free lesson
IELTS Task 2: give a paragraph a clear point
Original practice question: Should cities spend more on public transportation? Your position is yes, and this paragraph will focus on access to jobs.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
A useful body-paragraph opening states one reason that supports your answer to the essay question. “Public transportation deserves more funding because reliable service helps people reach work” gives a direction. “Transportation is very important” only announces a broad topic.
State a reason, not just the topic.
A topic sentence guides the paragraph. Connect it to the actual question, then name the point the following sentences will develop. If the support describes workers reaching early shifts, the opening should concern access to work, not unrelated fares or tourism. This is one useful planning method, not a required sentence formula.
Compare the examples
Public transportation is a major topic today.
More reliable public transportation can improve access to jobs.
Frequent early buses allow workers without cars to reach morning shifts.
For example, a route that starts before six could serve workers whose shifts begin at seven.
The example is hypothetical, not a claimed study or real statistic. Use examples to explain your reason; do not invent research authorities or percentages.
Build the meaning step by step
Read the question
Should cities spend more on public transportation?
Choose this paragraph’s reason
better access to jobs
Make the support follow that reason
early buses → workers reach morning shifts
Try it now
Choose a focused opening
Read all answers and explanations
The paragraph supports more funding because workers need reliable travel. Choose its opening.
Reliable public transportation can help people reach work.The second gives the job-access reason. The first is vague; the third is about a different benefit: tourism.
Which detail develops access to jobs?
Early buses can serve workers whose shifts begin before seven.Early service explains access to work. Museum trips and bus colors concern transportation but do not develop this job-access reason.
The paragraph discusses one benefit, not a guaranteed solution for everyone. Choose the careful claim.
More reliable buses can improve access to some workplaces.Can and some keep the claim within the supplied reasoning. The other statements make unsupported universal promises.
Put it into practice
Match the opening to the support
Original question: Should libraries offer more evening hours? This paragraph supports the idea because people working daytime hours need access. Choose an opening for the detail below.
For example, a person who finishes work at six could use the library at seven.
See a model answer
Longer evening hours can make libraries accessible to more daytime workers.
The topic sentence gives the point. The example develops it rather than replacing it.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Must every paragraph start with Firstly?
No. A linking word cannot replace a clear point. Choose wording that makes the relationship and the paragraph’s reason easy to follow.
A further benefit is better access for evening workers.
Is a topic sentence enough for a paragraph?
Usually you need to develop the point with relevant explanation or an example. This practice isolates the opening; it does not replace developing a full response.
Frequent buses reduce the time workers spend waiting between connections.
Take it into your day
Connect question, paragraph reason, and supporting detail.
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