🎯 The Core Concept#
A Two-Part Question Essay asks you to respond to two specific questions related to a single topic. It’s about addressing both parts of the question directly and thoroughly.
(Source: IELTS Simon Writing Video Course Lesson 9 Two-Part Question)
在 Two-Part Question 中，你必須 清楚回答題目中的兩個問題，每個主體段各回答一個問題。這是取得高分 Task Response (TR) 的關鍵。
🔍 What does a Two-Part Question look like?#
- Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?
- What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad news, and would it be better if more good news was reported?
- Do you think wealth is the best measure of success? What makes a successful person?
辨識題型的關鍵：題目包含 兩個具體的問題，通常用問號標示。你必須在文章中 分別回答這兩個問題。
🧱 How to Structure a Two-Part Question Essay?#
| Para. | Sent. | What to write? |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | 2 | 引入主題 + 概括性回答兩個問題 |
| Main Body 1 | 5 | 回答 第一個問題 |
| Main Body 2 | 5 | 回答 第二個問題 |
| Conclusion | 1 | 總結，重申對兩個問題的回應 |
每個主體段專注回答 一個問題，不要混在一起寫。這樣結構最清晰，考官最容易理解。
⏱️ Planning (10 minutes)#
| Step | Time | What to do? |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: | ~1 min | 仔細閱讀題目，劃出關鍵字，圈出兩個問題，確保不跑題。 |
| Step 2 | ~3 mins | 4 段 結構：Introduction (2 sentences), Body 1 (5 sentences), Body 2 (5 sentences), Conclusion (1 sentence) |
| Step 3 | ~6 mins | 針對 兩個問題 分別構思內容，寫下關鍵字並整理次序。 |
規劃時，把兩個問題拆開來看。先想第一個問題的答案，再想第二個問題的答案。這樣寫作時思路最清晰。
🧱 Step-by-Step Process#
Step 1: Read & Understand#
News editors decide what to broadcast on television and what to print in newspapers. What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad news, and would it be better if more good news was reported?
拆解重點:
- Topic: news editors’ decisions — what to broadcast and print
- Task: Two-Part Question — 兩個問題都要回答
- Q1: What factors influence these decisions?
- Q2: Do we become used to bad news? Would it be better if more good news was reported?
Step 2: Plan Your Structure#
| Para. | Content |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Topic: editors have to make difficult decisions about news stories Answer: influenced by various factors; we see too much bad news, need more good news |
| Main Body 1 | Answer Question 1: factors influencing editors’ decisions |
| Main Body 2 | Answer Question 2: bad news desensitises us; more good news would be better |
| Conclusion | Summarise both answers |
Step 3: Plan Ideas for Main Paragraphs#
這是規劃的核心。不要求寫完整句子，用關鍵詞記下想法即可。
Brainstorm:
- Body 1 (Question 1 — factors influencing editors):
viewer interest,public interest,owner pressure - Body 2 (Question 2 — bad news & good news):
desensitised,cynical,positive stories inspire
Develop Ideas:
Keep asking “Why?”:
- Point:
viewer interest - Ask Why: Why do editors consider viewer interest? ->
Because they compete with other providers. - What result? ->
They choose stories that will attract the most viewers or readers.
Think of Examples:
- For ‘owner pressure’:
e.g., a newspaper owner might have particular political views to promote - For ‘good news’:
e.g., reports of medical staff after a disaster, volunteers helping communities
Group Ideas:
| Body 1: Factors Influencing Editors (Question 1) | Body 2: Bad News & Good News (Question 2) |
|---|---|
| 1. Viewer/reader interest - compete with other providers - choose stories that attract audiences | 1. We become desensitised to bad news - daily exposure to war, crime, disasters - makes us cynical and sceptical |
| 2. Public interest - responsibility to inform public - prioritise important events/issues | 2. More good news would be better - positive stories inspire us - e.g. medical staff, volunteers |
| 3. Owner pressure - owners may have political views - e.g. promote certain agendas |
主體段可使用 “topic, example, result, alternative, result” 的方法：
- Topic: 我們習慣了壞消息
- Example: 每天接觸戰爭、犯罪、災難的新聞
- Result: 使人變得憤世嫉俗
- Alternative: 更多正面新聞
- Result: 正面新聞能激勵人心
📝 Full Band 9 Essay (285 words)#
News editors decide what to broadcast on television and what to print in newspapers. What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad news, and would it be better if more good news was reported?
It is true that editors have to make difficult decisions about which news stories they broadcast or publish, and their choices are no doubt influenced by a variety of factors. In my opinion, we are exposed to too much bad news, and I would welcome a greater emphasis on good news.
Editors face a range of considerations when deciding what news stories to focus on. Firstly, I imagine that they have to consider whether viewers or readers will be interested enough to choose their television channel or their newspaper over competing providers. Secondly, news editors have a responsibility to inform the public about important events and issues, and they should therefore prioritise stories that are in the public interest. Finally, editors are probably under some pressure from the owners who employ them. For example, a newspaper owner might have particular political views that he or she wants to promote.
It seems to me that people do become accustomed to negative news. We are exposed on a daily basis to stories about war, crime, natural disasters and tragic human suffering around the world. I believe that such repeated exposure gradually desensitises people, and we become more cynical about the world and more sceptical that we can do anything to change it. I would prefer to see more positive news stories, such as reports of the work of medical staff after a natural disaster, or the kindness of volunteers who help in their communities. This kind of news might inspire us all to lead better lives.
In conclusion, it must be extremely difficult for editors to choose which news stories to present, but I would like to see a more positive approach to this vital public service.
📚 High-band Topic Vocabulary#
| Category | Vocabulary |
|---|---|
| News & Media | broadcast, print, news stories, television channel, newspaper, public service |
| Decision-Making | influenced by, considerations, prioritise, in the public interest, under pressure |
| Effects of News | accustomed to, exposed to, desensitises, cynical, sceptical, inspire |
| Linking Words | Firstly, secondly, finally, for example, it seems to me that, in conclusion |
在寫作中靈活運用同義詞，能有效提升 Lexical Resource 的分數。
📊 Two Patterns for Main Paragraphs#
| Pattern | When to use | Example from this essay |
|---|---|---|
| Firstly, Secondly, Finally | 當你有多個論點時（如列出多個原因） | Body 1: 列出影響編輯決策的三個因素 |
| Topic, Example, Result, Alternative, Result | 當你想深入探討一個觀點時 | Body 2: 討論壞消息的影響和正面新聞的好處 |
在 Two-Part Question Essay 中，你可以根據問題的性質靈活選擇段落結構。如果第一個問題問「有哪些因素」，用 “Firstly, Secondly, Finally”；如果第二個問題問「看法或影響」，用 “Topic, Example, Result” 的深入模式。
💡 Key Takeaway#
Two-Part Question Essay 的三大關鍵：
- 拆解兩個問題 — 圈出題目中的兩個問號，分別在兩個主體段回答
- Introduction 給出概括答案 — 簡短回應兩個問題，讓考官知道你的方向
- 4 段結構 — Introduction (2 sentences) + Body 1 (5 sentences) + Body 2 (5 sentences) + Conclusion (1 sentence)
不要期望一次就熟練這個技巧，這需要大量練習。多做幾次規劃練習，你會越來越得心應手。